Alton "Al" Patrick Cunningham

Alton “Al” Patrick Cunningham was born on June 6, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, to James Patrick Cunningham and Eleanor Doris Kellams Cunningham. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Al lived a life grounded in faith, family, service, and community. He loved deeply, served faithfully, worked hard, and never met a stranger. His life was a gift to so many, and his legacy will live on through the family he loved, the people he served, the friendships he cherished, and the countless lives he touched.

Al was raised in Amarillo, where he attended Wolflin Elementary and Austin Junior High before graduating from Amarillo High School in 1965. He attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Texas Tech remained an important part of Al's life throughout the years, and he proudly continued to support the university and its students and alumni.

Al dedicated more than 57 years to the Group Health and Life Insurance business. His career was marked by hard work, integrity, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others. He cared deeply for his colleagues and clients, and his devotion to the people he worked with was unwavering.

Family, however, was always at the center of Al's heart. He was previously married to Penny Dial, and together they welcomed two daughters, Allison and Amy, who were truly his pride and joy. On December 5, 1980, Al married Cindy Tipps, beginning a marriage filled with love, faith, family, and devotion. Together, Al and Cindy celebrated 45 years of marriage. Through Cindy, Al was blessed with a son, Spencer, who became a treasured and beloved part of his life. Al cherished the family they built together and was grateful for every one of them.

Above all else, Al was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was the kind of father every child hopes for, always supportive, fiercely loving, deeply committed, and steadfast through every season of life. He was tough when he needed to be, but beneath that strength was a remarkably tender heart. His family never had to wonder where they stood with Al. They knew they were loved, supported, and protected.

And Al loved to have fun. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved telling a good joke, even if you had heard it several times previously. He was social, warm, and genuinely enjoyed being around people. He could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and his stories, laughter, and jokes were often as much a part of his presence as his generosity and kindness.

To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Cowboy,” a name that could not have suited him better. Al loved horses, roping, and the Western way of life. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, and fly fishing. Some of his happiest memories were made in Angel Fire with Cindy, surrounded by family and friends. He loved good company, good conversation, a good story, and probably most of all, the opportunity to make someone laugh.

Al was a man who believed in showing up for his family, his friends, his work, his church, and his community. Service was not simply something he did; it was part of who he was. Throughout his life, he generously gave his time, leadership, and energy to numerous organizations in Amarillo and across the Texas Panhandle.

Among his many leadership roles, Al served as Senior Warden of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Amarillo and as Past President of Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Expo, The Outfit, Will Rogers Range Riders, High Plains Epilepsy Association, Panhandle Association of Health Underwriters, Amarillo Red Raiders Club, and the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association.

Throughout his life, he also served on numerous boards and committees, including the Tri-State High School Rodeo Association, Texas Cowboy Rodeo Association, Texas Tech Alumni Rodeo Association, Amarillo Club, Coors Cowboy Club of Amarillo, Texas Tech University Chancellor’s Council, Texas Association of Health Underwriters State Board, Wildcat Bluff Conservancy, Texas Tech Alumni Association National Board, The Outfit Ranch Rodeo Executive Committee, and the Potter-Randall Appraisal District.

At the time of his passing, Al was still actively serving his community through the Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Expo Executive Committee, the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Advisory Committee, the Panhandle Regional Housing Finance Corporation, as a Potter County Representative, and on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. He was also a proud Mason and Shriner.

Al gave freely of his time, leadership, and talents. Service was not simply something he did; it was part of who he was. He believed in his community and was always willing to step up, lend a hand, and help make things better. His legacy of service will live on through the many organizations he supported and, most importantly, through the countless people whose lives he touched along the way.

Through all these roles, Al gave freely of his time and talents. He believed in his community and wanted to leave things better than he found them. His legacy of service is woven into the many organizations he supported and, more importantly, into the lives of the people he encouraged and helped along the way.

Al’s faith was the foundation beneath all of it. He loved his Lord and Savior, and his faith shaped the way he loved his family, served others, and lived his life. He was a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Amarillo, where he worshiped, served, built lasting friendships, and was an active part of the church community for many years. His faith was not simply something he professed; it was something he lived through his commitment to his family, his church, and those around him. While his family grieves the tremendous loss of his presence, they find comfort in knowing that he is home pain-free, and at peace with the Lord he loved and trusted.

Al was preceded in death by his father, J. Pat Cunningham; his mother, Eleanor Cunningham; his father-in-law Ivan Tipps, and his sister, Dr. Ann Grandjean.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Cindy Cunningham; his daughters, Allison Cunningham of Lubbock and Amy Harrison and her husband, Scott, of Lubbock; and his son, Spencer Albracht and his wife, Chana, of Morton, Washington. He is also survived by his brother, Kirk Cunningham and his wife, Kay, of Lubbock, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and their families, whom he loved dearly.

Al’s greatest joy was his family. He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Sawyer Hargrove and her husband, Matthew of Lubbock; Dr. Hayden Harrison and his wife, Lillie, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Swade Ridgway of Austin, Texas; Gracie Harrison and her fiancé, Landon Hutcheson, of Lubbock; Parker and William Albracht of Morton, Washington; and Emma and Eleanor Albracht of Morton, Washington. He was also a proud great-grandfather to Lincoln Donais, Dava Hargrove, and Hayes Harrison, with another precious great-grandchild on the way. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy, and being “Cowboy” was one of the roles he treasured most. He was so excited to welcome another little one into the family and would have been so proud to know his newest great-grandchild. And, because Al’s heart was always big enough for one more, he is also survived by his precious new puppy, Birdie, who brought him great happiness and companionship.

Al leaves behind a life that was full not simply with accomplishments, but with relationships, laughter, service, faith, and love. He showed his family what it meant to work hard, stand strong, love fiercely, serve generously, and never take the people you love for granted. One of his favorite sayings was, “The things we take for granted, someone is praying for.” Those words reflected the gratitude and perspective he carried with him throughout his life, and they are a reminder to his family to cherish the blessings they have and the people they love. His family will miss his stories, his jokes, his laughter, his advice, his strength, and his tender heart. They will miss seeing him walk through the door, hearing his voice, and knowing that he was always there. But most of all, they will miss being loved by him.

Al loved big. He lived fully. He served faithfully. And he left this world having given his heart to his family, his friends, his community, and his Lord.

Until we meet again, Cowboy.

Family will receive friends from 5-6:30 PM, Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount. Memorial service will be at 3:00 PM, Thursday, October 1, 2026 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1601 S. Georgia. Interment will be private. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Harrington Foundation, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, or a favorite charity.