Retired Major Joe Y. Cunningham Jr., 88, of Jacksonville passed away on April 26, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born October 12, 1932 in Hayti, Missouri to the late Elizabeth (King) and Joe Y. Cunningham Sr. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his two sisters, Alice Smith and Patricia Kennedy.

Joe enlisted into the United States Air Force on January 8, 1951 during the Korean War as a left gunner on the B29 super fortress. A door of opportunity opened for him to train as a pilot. He took it as an eagle and became the youngest pilot to command the KC97s at that time. He flew B47s and B58s during the Cold War and the F4 in Vietnam. He retired on January 31, 1971 after twenty years of honorable service to his country. After retiring, Joe owned a restaurant and later worked as an accountant. He was an avid golfer and loved the days he was able to fly his single engine aircraft. Joe never met a stranger and loved all the attention his vibrant personality commanded. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, as well as anyone lucky enough to have met him.

Joe is survived by his two daughters, Debora Lee Joye and Frances Elizabeth Beard; four grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and three brothers, James A. Cunningham, Douglas McArthur Cunningham, and Ronald Lynn Cunningham.

No services are scheduled at this time. Cremations arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136.