WorldWide Drilling Resource

67 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2014 you work here.” He wrote this: (1) Love My Toys (2) Only JobAvailable (3) Keep My Toys til Death. And...hemeant it! I’d like you all to enjoy these pho- tos of my husband, my friend, and my partner in life and always remember how truly happy he was being around you and this won- derful industry - drilling. This does not begin to let you know how truly active he was in our indus- try...there is not enough paper for that. And for sure, these are not the only friends we enjoyed our time with. Al was truly a family man and just a few of these photos will let you know that as well (again there is not enough paper...), and I am holding up the presses, once again. Not only was he a family man, he was a devoted Elk. During the 1970s, he became t he Exalted Ruler of Ga i nesv i l l e Lodge #990 o f t he Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This is a charitable organization and his lodge’s main goal was to sup- port the Harry-Anna Crippled Childrens’ Hosp i t a l i n U m a t i l l a , Flor ida. He spent count- less hours on projects for it. Asyoucan see by t h i s photo, he was a Life Member, having spent over 45 years with this fraternal organization. Al had a saying back t hen , “Two from you will do.” He was presented t he Gordon B. Tison Award for Membership that year. Hewould ring the bell whenever anyone came into the Lodge, wh i ch meant he was buying the drinks. He truly loved parties and fun. Life is pre- cious, and Al lived it HISWAY and we are all so very proud of him. That is why there was no mourning at our house on October 29 - but rather a party as he would have it. And Troy wanted to be sure we laughed and had a great time. They all joined in! No, it’s not easy when you lose someone, but life does go on, and if there is one message Al would send, it is: Live and love life to its fullest, treat every day like it’s your last, and plan to live forever. There is one other thing. Never go to bed mad at your partner. This hangs over our bedroom doorway. Lest we forget... Al visiting son Lt. Troy Cunningham (R Center) Panama City Fire Dept., Panama City, Florida. Al with the kids (L-R) in buggy. Lora, Terri, Allison, Troy, Chuck, and Debi. Al with son Chuck and granddaughter Hayley. Al with son Troy working on deck 2014. Hewouldhave loved tobepart of thisphoto taken October29thwithmeand thekidsandevengrandkids. Good thing he didn’t drop me! Al, “our Silver Fox” you couldn’t stop him.