Passings

David E. Cunningham

David E. Cunningham, 64, of Rock Springs, passed away on Dec. 8, 2020. He was born on July 7, 1956 in Cozad, Nebraska to Paul and Patricia Cunningham.

He attended schools at District No. 19, east of Cozad, until sixth grade. He then went to Cozad Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1974. After high school, he attended Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas, but soon decided to return to Nebraska.

Cunningham began working for the Nebraska Natural Gas Company in Gothenburg. While there, he began a career in law enforcement with the Gothenburg Police Department Cunningham before transferring to the Dawson County Sheriff’s Department.

He met and married his first wife, Janae Mandelko, in 1983 – which later ended in divorce. In 1985, Cunningham attended the Wyoming Police Academy in Douglas and was accepted into the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Shortly thereafter he moved to Evanston where he met his second wife, Lori Mathson.

During his time with the WHP, he lived in Evanston, Torrington and finally Rock Springs, where he retired at the rank of captain from the Wyoming Highway Patrol on Oct. 31, 2013.

After retirement, he hired on as a driver for PTI, where he enjoyed driving train crews across the state.

Cunningham never had any kids of his own, but loved Lori’s children and grandchildren as if they were his. He was always willing to provide and support them, even when life as a step parent could be challenging. He was loved and cherished by friends and family, and will always be remembered for his giant bear hugs.

He was a member of the Elk’s club, eventually becoming exalted ruler. He was also a lifetime member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association.

Cunningham enjoyed College football – his favorite teams were the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Wyoming Cowboys. He enjoyed going to concerts, gambling, road trips, fishing and watching NASCAR races.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 18 at Crandall Funeral Home in Evanston. Interment followed at Evanston City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association. Please contact Lt. Matt Arnell for donation information at: matt.arnell@wyo.gov

Alan M. Morgan

Alan “Max” Morgan of Cheyenne, died on Nov. 9, 2020.

Morgan was born in 1949 in La Junta, Colorado to Robert and Johnna Morgan. He was the second of four sons and started life in Fowler, Colorado.

Growing up, he lived with his family on the eastern plains of Colorado and in the Colorado Platte River valley prior to moving to Newcastle, Wyoming. Morgan graduated from high school in Newcastle in 1967 and attended the University of Wyoming.

His time at the University of Wyoming was altered by the Vietnam War – his college days were interrupt- Morgan ed when he left to serve in the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. Morgan was honorably discharged and returned to the University of Wyoming and finished his degree in journalism in 1975.

Morgan briefly worked for the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in the Public Affairs Office during the mid-1970s.

Subsequently, he worked in oil fields in North Dakota and Southern Colorado. Later in his career, he changed to the logistics industry working in distribution facilities in Denver and Cheyenne at the Walmart Distribution Center when it opened.

He loved to play golf and was an avid Wyoming Cowboys fan. He especially enjoyed playing the F.E. Warren Air Force base course early in the morning, getting in a quick round of golf before it was hot or windy. He also immensely enjoyed all his great nieces and nephews. Morgan was a lifelong caring soul who managed his mother’s care as she aged as well as helping his brothers, sisters in law and others along the way.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Internment will be in the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Casper.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to an American Military Veterans Service organization of your choice. n