Dewey Thomas Cunningham
1928-2011
Dewey T. Cunningham, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away October 12, 2011 in St. George, Utah.
Dewey was born on December 13, 1928 to Dewey Amour and Olive (Ollie) Catherine Carlson Cunningham in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dewey grew up in Downey, Idaho. He attended Downey High School where he became well-known for his athletic abilities. During high school he participated in and was captain of the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. He received multiple invitations to play in all-star games. He was on the Student Council and was elected Student Body President during his senior year.
He met the love of his life, Ila Mae Williams, while they were in high school. They married on July 5, 1948 and they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on April 1, 1971. They raised four children who all answered to the same name, Cathy-Sandy-Marci-Doug.
During his college years, Dewey played basketball for the University of Utah, Snow College, and Idaho State College. At Snow College, he played football, basketball, and baseball and was selected for basketball on the first team of the National Junior College Athletic Association. At Idaho State College, Dewey was well-known for his assists and rebounding ability and was selected twice for the all-conference team based on scoring, rebounding, assists, defense, and floor play. In 1999, Dewey was inducted into the Idaho State University Sports Hall of Fame.
After Dewey and Ila returned to Downey, Dewey worked for Cunningham Implement, his parents' business, as a bookkeeper, parts manager, and salesman. Dewey worked for over 35 years for Marsh Valley High School as a biology and driver's education teacher, coach, and school bus driver. He was a respected teacher and was voted an outstanding teacher by the Future Farmers of America. Dewey taught almost every student that attended Marsh Valley High School between 1956 and 1991.
Dewey spent 27 years as a basketball coach and many years as a coach for baseball and track, and assistant coach for football and wrestling. He was certified as a regional referee for football and basketball. Dewey enjoyed playing baseball in a summer league and exhibition basketball games played against traveling teams such as the Redheads girls basketball team. He often shared his experiences about playing four games against the Harlem Globe-trotters.
Dewey was known as a kind, humble, decent, and caring man with a quick, easy smile. He was a friend to all whether he knew the person a life-time or for only five minutes. Dewey knew how to tell a good story, as well as, laugh in all the right places. He loved kids, dogs, music, and old movies. As far as Dewey was concerned, no day was complete without a big bowl of ice cream.


Dewey valued a broad education in all its forms. He ensured his children learned how to dance and to throw a ball—like a boy. He expected his children and students to drive any manual transmission vehicle without stalling it and to execute a perfect 3-point parallel park right next to the curb.
"Coach" taught many ball players to understand the difference between a legal and an illegal defense in basketball. As for the offense, we can still hear him shout out across the playing floor, "You need to use the hook shot…the best damn shot in basketball!"
Dewey, we love you and we will miss you always.
Survived by his wife Ila Mae Cunningham; children Cathleen Cunningham (Douglas Rollins), Sandra Cunningham, Marci Carlsen (Rod), Douglas Cunningham (Michelle); grandchildren Shawn Stringham (Melissa), Kristopher Zwetschke (Linda), Seth Carlsen (Elizabeth), Lindsy Lefler (Dave), Heidi Carlsen, and Catherine, Dalton, and Mitchell Cunningham; great grand-children Jonas, Samantha, Amelia, Megan, and Peter Stringham, Karter and Rylee Zwetschke, Owen Lefler, and two more babies waiting to be born; sister Jean Owen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Connie Harris, Hanna Lou Williams, Bert Williams, Colleen and Gene Richards, David and LaVee Williams, Linda Snyder, Diana Ferrin, Pat and Jack Bracken; many nieces and nephews; numerous friends and colleagues.
Preceded in death by his parents and Ila Mae's parents Berton and Rachel Williams; brothers-in-law Glade Owen, Dee Jay Williams, Roy Snyder, Ron Ferrin, and James Harris.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 12:00 noon in the LDS Second Ward Chapel, 525 East 1st North, Downey, Idaho. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday prior to the service 10:30-11:30 a.m. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Malad City Cemetery.