Rodney Lynn Cunningham was born on August 7, 1962 in Hutchison, Kansas to John Henry Cunningham and Lois Ernestine Jones-Cunningham. He was raised in and outside of the United States and was proud to call himself a "military brat."  Rodney received his early education in Wakkanai, Japan and Iraklion, Greece. He attended his first three years of high school in London, England and Medical Lake High School in Spokane, Washington where he graduated.

Rodney then continued his education at Southern Arkansas University, but later transferred to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock where he was a member of the UALR Trojan Baseball Team. In the 1980's he played on the San Jose Giants minor-league baseball team. Rodney graduated from college with a bachelors degree in Health Sciences and Sociology.

Over the years, he was able to use his many talents as a high school and college baseball coach both in Arkansas and abroad. He was also a baseball recruiter for a period of time and worked for the MLB overseas.  Rodney also loved helping coach his step-son's youth baseball team.

Professionally, Rodney worked for many years for the Department of Health in Arkansas. In more recent years; however, he devoted his energy to social services such as working with the homeless population and those who suffered from chronic mental illnesses in southwest Missouri.

Rodney was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Lois Cunningham.
He leaves in cherished memory his father, John Cunningham of Little Rock, Arkansas, his wife, Deseri Cunningham and step-son, Andrew Burgess of Republic, Missouri and brother, Greg Cunningham; sister, Nicole Cunningham, nieces LaShay Cunningham and De'Asia Cunningham and nephew, Tristan Cunningham and great nephew, Nolan Barton. all of Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday in Casey Cemetery, Bigelow, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Rodney "RC" Cunningham Memorial Baseball Scholarship Fund, c/o Peoples Community Bank, PO Box 594, Republic, MO 65738.

Rodney's Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here .