Charles Edgar “Dob” Cunningham of Knickerbocker, Texas passed away Tuesday morning, July 5th 2022, at the age of 88. He died peacefully in his home with wife Kay at his side after several months of declining health.
Dob was born at home on his family farm on April 22nd 1934 in Hockley County, Levelland, Texas to Frederick Louis “Pete” and Lorene Mary “Granny Rene” Garrett Cunningham. Dob was the middle child with two sisters, Betty Carter and Ramona “Moni” Zerr.
starting at an early age Dob helped out on his family’s small farm in Hockley County. Later his family moved to El Paso, Socorro, and then Ysleta. He spent much of his time running around his dad’s blacksmith shop. He also spent much of his time with his buddy, Man Bramblett, cowboying and hunting on the Bramblett Ranch along the Rio Grande south of Sierra Blanca.
In 1949 his dad bought the ranch in Maverick County on the Rio Grande River south of Quemado. There he and his dad worked tirelessly levelling their fields, building fences to put cattle on the ranch. Then came the infamous Flood of ’54, and they had to do it all over again.
While in high school Dob met his best friend Billy Word and their running partner, Jerry Jackson. They were inseparable, spending most of their time together hunting, fishing, and finding ways to make a buck.
Dob graduated from Eagle Pass High School in 1952. He worked as a welder, welding pipelines at the gas lease between Eagle Pass and La Pryor with Pete Nelson. He thought very highly of Mr. Nelson.
He joined the Army in 1955 and was stationed in Germany. He was promoted to Sargent in charge of the mechanic shop. Upon returning to U.S. soil, he was stationed at Fort Hood.
From an early age he idolized lawmen. In the fall of 1960 he became a Border Patrol Agent with first assignment in Mercedes, Texas. May 31st 1961 he married Kathryn June Hansen. Later they transferred to Falfurrias, Texas where his daughter was born. While there he bought a beautiful young bay gelding he named Padre. Padre stayed with and was greatly loved by the family until his passing at age 27.
Dob loved the border patrol but transferred to Immigration in 1965, moving his little family and Padre to Presidio, Texas. Then in 1967 they transferred to Nogales, Arizona. While there, he joined the Masonic Lodge. His father-in-law Clouis Hansen and friend Ray Darr from Eagle Pass Masonic Lodge, and an old friend, Les Paul from El Paso Masonic Lodge drove to Nogales for Dob’s induction.
Then, in 1970 Dob transferred to Eagle Pass Port of Entry to be near family and help with the ranch. Dob continued his Freemasonry service with the Eagle Pass Masonic Lodge. He served as Grand Master. He also attended lodge with Masons of Brackettville, Del Rio and Carrizo Springs. He served the Masons for more than 50 years.
Dob later became Port Director of Eagle Pass and Del Rio Ports of Entry. He retired in 1990 after 30 years of INS service.
After retirement, Dob wrote a book of some of his wild encounters with illegal crossers on the ranch and as an officer of the USINS.
When he adopted you as a friend, he never forgot you. He lived life on his own terms. He loved the outdoors and never liked leaving the ranch. Every dog he ever had was “the best dog he ever had.” However, none could match the amazing qualities of “The World Famous” Runt. He would judge your character on how you treated animals. He pinched pennies like none other but would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need. He always had a soft spot for women and children.
Dob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betty Carter, nephew John Brady and niece Terry Carter.
He is survived by his wife Kathryn June Hansen Cunningham, their only child Mary Beth Cunningham Luttrell & son-in-law Joseph Luttrell, grandchildren Charles Jack & his wife Sunni Turney, Kyla Gail Turney-Bannon, step-grandchildren Michael Brandon Luttrell, Logan Luttrell Bolton & her husband Charlie Bolton, Great Grandchildren Scarlet Bannon, Jeffery Bannon, Adalyn Luttrell, Joseph Rodriguez, Brylee Bolton, his sister Ramona “Moni” Cunningham Zerr, nieces & nephews Richard & his wife Pat Carter, Charles and his wife Malinda Carter, Shannon Eickenroht, Lyle Eickenroht, Sandra Eickenroht, James & wife Cher Eickenroht, great nieces & nephews Jody Cross, Madison Eickenroht, and Tristan Eickenroht, Uncle Alvin “Bill” Garrett, cousins Lyn Raines, Sharla Goodloe, Darrell Garrett.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Dob’s honor to Shriners Hospitals for Children at: https://lovetotherescue.org.
Services: A Masonic Celebration of Life on Saturday July 30th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Yeager Barrera Mortuary. Afterwords, spreading of the ashes at the ranch in Quemado on the point overlooking the Rio Grande and Mexico for those who wish to join.
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