DATE: Sunday, March 16, 1997                TAG: 9703160001

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   52 lines

HOMER W. CUNNINGHAM VIRGINIA BEACH

On Thursday, March 13, 1997, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by lovingfamily and friends, Homer W. Cunningham began the greatest journey of his 71 years.

A pioneer in the nursing home industry and a prominent leader in Virginia Beach business, political and charitable circles for nearly 40 years, Homer's abundant energy, engaging sense of humor and love of his fellow man won him the admiration, respect and love of young and old, rich and poor.

Born in South Charleston, W.Va., on July 7, 1925, he graduated from South Charleston High School. Following a brief career with Union Carbide, he moved his family to Virginia Beach in 1958 and started Cunningham, Malbon and Etheridge Realty & Insurance Co. In 1967 he founded PMG Inc., a company at the forefront of the nursing home industry, and in 1985 became the founding chairman of Princess Anne Bank. He also developed the Four Sails Oceanfront Resort on 34th St., Virginia Beach.

Homer also found time to devote energy to numerous community activities including serving as president of the Virginia Beach Board of Realtors, Oceana Lions Club, Princess Anne Ruritan Club; trustee for Westminster-Canterbury, and the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts, board member of Sunnyside Presbyterian Home, member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission and Virginia Beach School Board. He founded Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach in 1974, served as vice president of the American Health Care Association and as a member of the White House Commission on Aging.

Homer proudly served as an elder at Thalia Trinity Presbyterian Church. But of all of his accomplishments, that of which he was most proud was the creation of a wonderful family through whom he continues to spread love and a deep, unwavering faith in God.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Doris Gimbert Cunningham; his children, Vicki C. Rader and her husband, Sid, Robert W. Cunningham and his wife, Nancy and Debra C. Persons and her husband, Grey, all residing in Virginia Beach and Norfolk; his grandchildren, Jennifer McKain, John R. McKain, Shawn D. Cunningham, William W. Cunningham, and Robert W. Cunningham Jr.; his sister, Aileen C. Culpepper and her husband, Ray of Currituck, N.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Instead of flowers, Homer requests that donations be sent to Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach, c/o The Virginia Beach Foundation, P.O. Box 4629, Virginia Beach, Va. 23454.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. today in Thalia Trinity Presbyterian Church, 420 Thalia Road, Virginia Beach. The family will receive visitors following the service at the home of Vicki Cunningham Rader, 4312 Lynnville Crescent, Virginia Beach. ``Tell the Story.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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