Gary Cunningham was born just off Puckerbrush Road in the small rural railroad community of Van Meter, Iowa. He was destined to be the engineer of his own train in life, having come full circle when he spent his final years living his dream with his wife while hearing the train whistles echo across their family farm just outside of La Plata.

Almost everyone in Northeast Missouri knew Gary Cunningham. Everyone has their own “Gary Cunningham story.” Whether you had known him your entire life or had just met him, he knew how to make you feel seen, heard, loved, and special as if you were the most important person in the world. He always used that opportunity to share his faith in Christ Jesus.

Gary Cunningham was our very own local celebrity. He was a Heartland TV personality on KTVO spanning 48 years. He spent countless hours volunteering for local organizations, boards, and committees. He was passionate about keeping the spirit of Christmas alive by dedicating his time singing carols with family and friends at the local nursing homes. Gary loved playing Santa Claus for many years on behalf of non-profit organizations for underprivileged children.

He established the Heartland Task Force (HTF) in 1991, to promote positive and healthy alternatives for the youth in Northeast Missouri. Through the Heartland Task Force, he brought the community the Health & Safety Fair, the Outrageous Olympics, the HTF Fun Map, the Drug Abuse Prevention PSA contest in the local schools, and his beloved annual Daddy Daughter Dance. He spent countless hours volunteering, serving, and singing in his church. He truly dedicated his life to making a difference. When he saw a need, he was the first to rectify it with an ingenious community program or event.

Although Gary was passionate about these community projects, his proudest accomplishments were his kids, their spouses, and over 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. More than anything else, he was most proud to be husband to Louise, his true love at first sight. They lived a beautiful 68 years together.

Gary lived a full life. He was a songwriter, an entertainer, an artist, and a copy-righted author, sharing the many memories of childhood adventures with his brother Al through their Puckerbrush Road book series and original soundtrack.

Gary used his God-given gifts selflessly serving others. He leaves an incredible imprint on this world. But his legacy—his true legacy—lives on at The Gary Cunningham Event Center, as we carry on his dream of teaching about Family, Faith, Community Service, Duty to our Country and to one another.