Reverend Johnny Kavanaugh Cunningham, age 81, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024 in Lexington, KY.   Johnny was born February 13, 1942 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky to the late Johnny Cunningham, Sr. and Ophelia Tabit Rucker and raised and loved by a special stepfather, Richard Rucker, Sr.

Johnny gave his life to the Lord as a young child. He was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, KY, and was a devoted son of the church.  He loved to dance, dress, cook, paint, and sing. His other interests were sports and education. He had a caring, giving heart that sometimes was taken advantage of, but he trusted in God in all he did.

He attended Lincoln Institute, Class of "62", lettering in football, basketball and baseball and served his country in the U.S. Army.

Johnny was a hard worker and had done various jobs in his lifetime, including driving a school bus for Anderson County Head Start, working for Texas Instruments in Versailles KY, Stewart Home School in Frankfort, KY and Wild Turkey Distillery, where he retired from.

Johnny Kavanaugh Cunningham, became Reverend Johnny Kavanaugh Cunningham, lovingly called Rev. or Pastor J.K. Cunningham. His assignment was First Baptist Church, Berea, Kentucky, where he stayed for nearly 45 years, until his health began to decline.  He loved First Baptist Church, Berea and preaching what the Lord led him to.

Including his father, mother and stepfather, Johnny was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Cunningham, that he affectionately called Fat Daddy, Louis A. Rucker Sr., Richard Rucker Jr. and Herman Rucker, his sisters; Jinnie Mae Rucker-Bixler, Louella Rucker, Willie Mae Rucker, Susie Rucker, Betty Rucker, and Mary Cecil Rucker.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 30 plus years, Judith Lynn Taylor Cunningham, whom he met at Lincoln Institute and then reconnected with several years later; his baby sister, Linda S. Rucker Hudson (caregiver) Lawrenceburg, KY., a special niece/caregiver Sophia Rucker-Taylor (John) Lawrenceburg KY., god-daughter Tabitha L. Logan (Pastor Kory), Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nephews and nieces. Johnny was loved by many.

Rev. Johnny's services will be held at 6:00 P.M., Monday, February 5, 2024 at the Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church, 111 N. Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M., till the time of his service at 6:00 P.M. Burial will be at 12:30 P.M., Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, KY with military honors.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home, Lawrenceburg, KY.