John B. “Scotty” Cunningham
December 9, 1941 - January 5, 2022
John B. “Scotty” Cunningham, 80, passed through the goal posts after a short illness on January 5th in 2022 in Ogden Utah.
John was born in Glasgow Scotland on December 9th, 1941 to James Cunningham and Marion McLeod and soon learned how to play his beloved “soccer” in the streets of Glasgow at an early age. He joined Drumchapel of Glasgow as a boy. Being a talented player, John was selected to represent both Glasgow and Scotland at the schoolboy and youth level. He entered the professional soccer ranks with Strathclyde and later moved on to play with Third Lanark F.C.
John married Shona Gibb in 1962 and immigrated to the United States in 1965 where he joined A.C. Germania and then formed Sports Club United in 1967, all while working at his craft as a master electrician. John joined the Incas Soccer Club in 1971 and spent the last four years of his professional career with the Vikings S.C. retiring play in 1964. John later went on to coach the College of the Desert soccer team in the early 1990’s and was inducted into the Utah Soccer hall of Fame in 1999.
John is survived by his first wife Shona Cunningham and second wife Ginger Raye, Daughter Jacqueline (Bob) Wright, Granddaughters Hanna Rose and Natalie Elizabeth Wright, Son Ian Cunningham (Nicky), and Sister Edith (Don) Houston, nephew Tony Peakman (Wendy) Adam, Sarah and Andrew. John was preceded in death by his beloved son Graeme Cunningham and Sister Patricia (Joe) Craig, Gary and Clarie.
John will be privately buried at Mt Calvary Cemetery in Salt Lake City and a “Remembrance of Life” will be held at a later date to be announced by the Family.
John will be remembered as a strong willed, hard playing husband, brother, father, and a friend to the many fortunate people who knew and played with and against him during his journey.
In Loving Memory
Dear Shona, Jackie and Ian, I am sorry for the loss of John, your sweet dad. I only have fond memories of him and all the fun times spent at your childhood home. John and Shona always welcomed me into their home and I always felt like family. When I think back on my childhood, the Cunningham family was a memorable part of those times. It is crazy how many years have passed and how short life really is. John was always good to me. I send my love. Susan
My deepest condolences to the Cunningham family. They probably don't remember me, yet I was the best friend in the 70's to, Graeme. By chance mine and Mr Cunningham's paths crossed in the early nineties and I told him who I was we briefly talked and went our separate ways. I spent a lot of time at their house growing up. I sure miss Ian too.
In Loving Memory
