Rev. Donald Cunningham (’57)
The following obituary was originally published by California-Nevada Conference and can be found here.
It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our brother Rev. Donald Cunningham, died on January 14, 2026.
Don served the California-Nevada Conference pastoring at Cherry Valley UMC, Chowchilla UMC, Dairyland UMC, Woodside Road UMC, First UMC Church, Oakland, and Burlingame UMC, until his retirement (1998). He later served as Pastor Emeritus at Twin Towers UMC. He also served as Shasta District Superintendent, Program Council Director, General Conference Delegate (California-Nevada Conference).
Don was born January 28th, 1933 (Modesto, CA). He grew up in Ceres, CA graduating President of his Class (1950). He received honors throughout school including ‘Letters’ in Football, Basketball, Tennis, Track and field. He attended his local UMC, singing in the choir. He spent freshman year at UC Berkeley, then graduated from University of Pacific (1954 BA; Religious studies). He sang in the a cappella choir, where he met his beautiful wife, Lillian Wilson. Rev. Don graduated from Boston University School of Theology.
Don strongly believed in God’s grace, and the spiritual knowledge we are all God’s children deserving of love, kindness, equity, and inclusion. He fought for the civil rights of those struggling with inequality and injustice. He served on the Board of Planned Parenthood earning the International Reverend Davis Pastoral Service Award (2005).
A celebration of Pastor Don’s life will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 2 p.m., at New Bridges UMC, 1411 Oak St. Alameda, CA. Rev. Doug Cunningham will preside.
Don is survived by his children: Jana Cunningham; Nona Nicol; Nanette Joyce; Charla Cunningham; Michael Cunningham; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Ron Batstone-Cunningham (2004), and his wife Lillian Cunningham (2019).
Condolences may be sent to:
The Cunninghams
c/o Board of Pensions
1337 Howe Ave #200
Sacramento, CA 95825
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rev. Don’s honor can be sent to:
American Friends Service Committee: https://afsc.org | donorservices@afsc.org
or: Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org
We give God thanks for Rev. Donald Cunningham’s life and witness and hold his family close in prayer.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Rom 8:38-39)