Claude Melton Cunningham, ge 92, of Daleville, Virginia, and formerly of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2009 at The Glebe.

Born July 23, 1917 in Clifton Forge to the late Romanuel Victor and Ressie Wilson Cunningham, he remained a lifelong resident of Clifton Forge.

After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Mr. Cunningham returned to Clifton Forge to join his wife and start a career as a merchant and as a Chesapeake and Ohio locomotive engineer.

Mr. Cunningham's career spanned a lifetime of service to the Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and member of the Men's Bible Class.

He was a fifty year member of the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge No. 166 A.F. & A.M. and was the last surviving founding member of the Highlander Hunt Club in Bath County.

He retired from the railroad in 1978, but continued his involvement with his church and lodge until his health prevented him from continuing.

He was one of the first residents to move into The Glebe, where he enjoyed his last years because of the wonderful care and treatment he received from their staff and Good Samaritan Hospice.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-three years, Rosalie Berger Cunningham in October of 1994; three brothers, and one sister.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Shirley Cunningham of Fincastle; three grandchildren, Christine Galko of Daleville, Aaron Cunningham and wife, Michelle of Hendersonville, NC, and Catherine Campbell and husband, David of Washington, DC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

His quiet, affirmative guidance will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge.

Pallbearers will be David Campbell, Jeff Cantrell, Aaron Cunningham, and Mike Saunders. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Highlander Hunt Club and the Clifton Forge Baptist Church Men's Bible Class. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, P.O. Box 215, Millboro, VA 24460 or to Virginia Baptist Homes, Corporate Office, P.O. Box 191, Culpeper, VA 22701. To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.