Hayden Cunningham ,85, was born in Dallas, Texas on June 24, 1925 to Jasper Hayden Cunningham and Rose Lee Vickers Cunningham. He passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at his home. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Cunningham; daughter and son-in-law, Glenna and John Crawford; son and daughter-in-law Duane Cunningham and Olga Maximova, grandsons: Jason Crawford, Chase Cunningham and wife Julie, Cole Cunningham: granddaughter Kristen Crawford Chambless and husband, Tom and step-granddaughter, Anna Maximova. Hayden is also survived by four great grandchildren; Hayden and Landry Chambless and Callie and Kaelyn Cunningham.
Hayden served in the US Navy during World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1946. After returning home to Dallas he married Joan Cooper, the love of his life. They had three children, Glenna, Sheila (deceased in childhood) and Duane.
Hayden was an aggressive insurance salesman and was ALWAYS working on a "deal". After retiring from the insurance industry, Hayden started selling auto parts and growing a successful business in Lewisville, Texas known as Cunningham Auto Salvage. This business then developed into restoring 1955, '56, and '57 Ford Thunderbirds to their original condition. He was the founder of the Metro-plex Early Bird Club and attended hundreds of car shows throughout the United States, not just as a winning competitor but also as a judge. His cars are all collector items. Hayden won many awards for his accomplishments as well as being known throughout America as "the man who knew it all". Hayden never retired from his restoration business, but in the last few years of his life he worked more as a consultant, teacher and advisor. His family was always told "this is my last one (t-bird)" but it never was.
As much as Hayden loved his amazing Thunderbirds, he loved his family more. He was so full of life and shared a great sense of humor . He always wanted to know what his children and grandchildren were doing. Whenever one of the children would call "Granddaddy" and asked if he was available and his answer was always, "Come on". All who knew Hayden loved him and respected him and he leaves behind a wonderful, loving legacy in Joan and the children.
Hayden served in the US Navy during World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1946. After returning home to Dallas he married Joan Cooper, the love of his life. They had three children, Glenna, Sheila (deceased in childhood) and Duane.
Hayden was an aggressive insurance salesman and was ALWAYS working on a "deal". After retiring from the insurance industry, Hayden started selling auto parts and growing a successful business in Lewisville, Texas known as Cunningham Auto Salvage. This business then developed into restoring 1955, '56, and '57 Ford Thunderbirds to their original condition. He was the founder of the Metro-plex Early Bird Club and attended hundreds of car shows throughout the United States, not just as a winning competitor but also as a judge. His cars are all collector items. Hayden won many awards for his accomplishments as well as being known throughout America as "the man who knew it all". Hayden never retired from his restoration business, but in the last few years of his life he worked more as a consultant, teacher and advisor. His family was always told "this is my last one (t-bird)" but it never was.
As much as Hayden loved his amazing Thunderbirds, he loved his family more. He was so full of life and shared a great sense of humor . He always wanted to know what his children and grandchildren were doing. Whenever one of the children would call "Granddaddy" and asked if he was available and his answer was always, "Come on". All who knew Hayden loved him and respected him and he leaves behind a wonderful, loving legacy in Joan and the children.
Hayden Cunningham ,85, was born in Dallas, Texas on June 24, 1925 to Jasper Hayden Cunningham and Rose Lee Vickers Cunningham. He passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at his home. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Cunningham; daughter and son-in-law, Glenna and John Crawford; son and daughter-in-law Duane Cunningham and Olga Maximova, grandsons: Jason Crawford, Chase Cunningham and wife Julie, Cole Cunningham: granddaughter Kristen Crawford Chambless and husband, Tom and step-granddaughter, Anna Maximova. Hayden is also survived by four great grandchildren; Hayden and Landry Chambless and Callie and Kaelyn Cunningham.
Hayden served in the US Navy during World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1946. After returning home to Dallas he married Joan Cooper, the love of his life. They had three children, Glenna, Sheila (deceased in childhood) and Duane.
Hayden was an aggressive insurance salesman and was ALWAYS working on a "deal". After retiring from the insurance industry, Hayden started selling auto parts and growing a successful business in Lewisville, Texas known as Cunningham Auto Salvage. This business then developed into restoring 1955, '56, and '57 Ford Thunderbirds to their original condition. He was the founder of the Metro-plex Early Bird Club and attended hundreds of car shows throughout the United States, not just as a winning competitor but also as a judge. His cars are all collector items. Hayden won many awards for his accomplishments as well as being known throughout America as "the man who knew it all". Hayden never retired from his restoration business, but in the last few years of his life he worked more as a consultant, teacher and advisor. His family was always told "this is my last one (t-bird)" but it never was.
As much as Hayden loved his amazing Thunderbirds, he loved his family more. He was so full of life and shared a great sense of humor . He always wanted to know what his children and grandchildren were doing. Whenever one of the children would call "Granddaddy" and asked if he was available and his answer was always, "Come on". All who knew Hayden loved him and respected him and he leaves behind a wonderful, loving legacy in Joan and the children.
Hayden served in the US Navy during World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1946. After returning home to Dallas he married Joan Cooper, the love of his life. They had three children, Glenna, Sheila (deceased in childhood) and Duane.
Hayden was an aggressive insurance salesman and was ALWAYS working on a "deal". After retiring from the insurance industry, Hayden started selling auto parts and growing a successful business in Lewisville, Texas known as Cunningham Auto Salvage. This business then developed into restoring 1955, '56, and '57 Ford Thunderbirds to their original condition. He was the founder of the Metro-plex Early Bird Club and attended hundreds of car shows throughout the United States, not just as a winning competitor but also as a judge. His cars are all collector items. Hayden won many awards for his accomplishments as well as being known throughout America as "the man who knew it all". Hayden never retired from his restoration business, but in the last few years of his life he worked more as a consultant, teacher and advisor. His family was always told "this is my last one (t-bird)" but it never was.
As much as Hayden loved his amazing Thunderbirds, he loved his family more. He was so full of life and shared a great sense of humor . He always wanted to know what his children and grandchildren were doing. Whenever one of the children would call "Granddaddy" and asked if he was available and his answer was always, "Come on". All who knew Hayden loved him and respected him and he leaves behind a wonderful, loving legacy in Joan and the children.
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