Patrick "Pat" Joseph Cunningham III

Patrick (“Pat”) Joseph Cunningham III, 73, passed away peacefully at home on February 2, 2026, surrounded by family in Houston, Texas, following a three-year battle with leukemia.

Pat was born on October 26, 1952, in Beaumont, Texas, to Stella Jo and Tommy Joseph Cunningham. A proud veteran, he went on to serve his country as a sergeant in the United States Air Force at Ubon RTAFB Thailand, where he was a bomb loader during the Vietnam War. After his military service concluded, Pat began a successful work career in the gas compression industry.

First and foremost, Pat was a family man. He loved his wife and boys more than anything and was incredibly proud of the lives they have built with their families. His grandsons were the cherries on top, affording him the opportunity to try to top their silly antics!

Pat also cherished his relationships with others. He never met a stranger and was unfailingly kind to everyone he met. He developed deep bonds and lasting relationships in all of his endeavors, including throughout his work years, as the Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 91 in which his whole family was involved, as a volunteer at Meals on Wheels with his “Parking Lot” friends, and throughout the neighborhoods in which he lived.

Not surprisingly, many staff members at MD Anderson — most importantly, Dr. Nitin Jain, Victoria Sukholutsky, PA, and Sarah Velasquez, RN — became like family. The level of care Pat received and the loving manner in which he was treated were second to none, and the family will forever be grateful.

Pat considered himself blessed to have the support of all of these communities and especially of “The Gang”, with whom he was friends for over 50 years, and also of his chosen family, Bryan and Donna Stewart.

Pat will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 41 years, Laura; their three children Nick (Amy), Max (Madison), and Hunter (Brittany); and four grandsons, Hayes Joseph (a sixth generation Joseph Cunningham), Owen, Calvin, and Riley, to whom he was a proud Pappy. Pat was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Michael, and sister, Dianne; and his mother- and father-in-law, Betty and Riley Low of Mertzon, Texas.

In keeping with his wishes, Pat was cremated and will be honored with a graveside military service in Odessa, Texas, where he and his family lived throughout the majority of their lives. Please join the family graveside at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Saturday, March 21, at 2 PM for a fitting salute! Honorary pallbearers are Les Dickey, Ronnie Hanway, Randy Lewis, Neil Muxworthy, Andy Pearce, and Bryan Stewart.

Memorials can be made to Meals on Wheels, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.