Bobby "Bob" Cunningham

Bobby Dale (Robert) “Bob” Cunningham, 88 of Moberly went home to the Lord, October 8, 2024, after a brief illness. 

Bob was born, October 11, 1935, in Keytesville, Missouri to Harris and Cordie (Wright) Cunningham. He lived in his younger years in Keytesville, attending and graduating from Keytesville High School in 1953. 

As a young child he did a variety of jobs. He helped his father doing janitorial work as well as mow lawns to assist the family financially 

After taking a tour of the local paper when he was in the Cub Scouts, Bob found his love – newspapers. He started work at the Chariton Courier while still in school. He worked one hour each day after school and four hours on Saturday. In the evenings he ran the projector at the Ritz Theatre in Keytesville. In 1949 the theatre manager passed away and Bob took over the lease for the Ritz Theatre at the age of 14. 

Bob worked for both the newspaper and the theatre for the next five years. After graduating high school Bob married Marlene Baxley of Brunswick, Missouri on April 27, 1956. In 1958 Bob began his journey with the Moberly Monitor-Index, serving as a linotype operator before moving up to composing room foreman, Production Manager, Advertising Manager, and in 1975 became the General Manager and later the Publisher before retiring on February 13, 2014, 56 years after joining the paper. 

Bob was an active member of the community serving on various committees and boards for multiple years. Some of the organizations Bob was part of included, the Missouri Press Association, Northeast Missouri Press Association, Scout Troup 222, North Sugar Creek Committeeman, Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce, Moberly Downtown Association, Randolph County United Way, Salvation Army Board, MACC Advisory Board, Moberly Safety Council, Moberly Rotary Club, A+ Board, Randolph County Democratic Committee, and the Red Cross board. 

While their kids were still young, Bob and Marlene loved taking family winter ski trips to Colorado with long-time friends Mary Evelyn and Ed Eschliman. In their later years they enjoyed taking cruises with a host of friends. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, half-brother Weldon Cunningham, sisters Velma Sue Cunningham, Nina May Grimsley, and Wanda Hewatt.  

He is survived by devoted wife Marlene of the home, three children: Jeff (Lisa), Mark (Carol) and Diane, six grandchildren: Jessica Cunningham, Jennifer Cunningham, Michael and Mitchell Cunningham, Jourdan and Shelby Cunningham, seven great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Reed, Gavin Reed, Allison Dunwoody, Jase and Grant Cunningham, Madison and Maclin Cunningham as well as two great-great-grandchildren: Olivia and Konnor Harville. 

Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at a visitation to be held, Thursday October 10, 2024, 3-6 p.m. at the Cater Funeral Home. Services honoring and celebrating Bob’s life will be held Friday October 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayer and entombment will follow at the Resurrection Mausoleum, at Oakland Cemetery.