Eric Vaughn Cunningham

Tributes from his loved ones: "Eric Vaughn Cunningham was taken from us unexpectedly. We're still in shock and there's no way to be prepared for this. Eric was one of a kind, and always a joy to be around. He may not have had a wife and kids, but the family he did have he loved and admired. We are thankful for the time that we got to spend with Eric since he enjoyed the peace and quiet that our country home brought him when he needed a break from trucking. He would be on the road for long stretches and extended periods of time. We would go months without seeing him, but when he would finally come to visit, we were always so happy to see him. We already miss Eric dearly. We're going to miss seeing his smile, miss hearing his voice and laughter, miss his visits, miss hearing his life stories, miss hearing about his big hopes and dreams, and all his aspirations. We're going to miss eating and enjoying good food with him. Eric had such admiration and passion for food that a visit wasn't complete without indulging in something delicious, Eric just wouldn't have it any other way. A story that Eric recently shared with us was about when he got his heart transplant. He said he met God that day. He said God took him all over and showed him so many things. That experience gave him a sense of peace and ignited a fire in him to live. He planned to travel all over the world to honor the new heart, and he recently got his passport so he could do just that. Eric was truly a unique person. He had this essence about him. If he was happy you couldn't help but be happy right along with him. He had such a light-hearted outlook on life, he was easy going, fun loving, generous, kind, and friendly to everybody. He was someone you aspired to be like, and unforgettable. We know Eric is sitting up in heaven, back to rubbing elbows with God. We know he wouldn't want us to be sad, and that he will always be with us, and watching over us. It's just hard to accept sometimes. We love and miss him so much!!!" -The Cunningham's Matt, Karla, Kiyah, William, Kiren, Kora, Kleo, and Karri "It's just hard to believe. If Eric is really not with us...if Eric really did die.. I can only say he was and always will be the truest fighter. Like the ocean he loved...he never let the waves overtake him, he rode along the tides like he just expected to rock every in and outs of life...he knew what he was going to do..set out to do it..and achieved it. He's so easy going...nothing upset him...when we went to stores...even in the parking lot he would make friends...he loved the sun and moon and played in them both to its fullest. I feel like he was always chasing that big thing...he always had bigger ideas and wants...he was always having ideas of how food can heal too...we agreed on that alot...we could just be together rocking some really good food, watch tv then spontaneously talk about every random story that he would just ultimately laugh at...he never got upset...I think my words of frustration hurt him...I'm forever sorry for just not being able to handle life stuff and his words at that time...they were just words...his thoughts that I should've been grateful and understood him sharing...he had every reason to feel and say what he did. I so wish I could be more like him. I really hope that this is not true! If it is...the hardest worker...the one that my intentions of being like...he always was. He was like a celebrity to me whenever I seen him...to know a bit of his story..his more than hard life...to witness him fighting for his every breath...make it through a heart transplant...become very depressed over why he was chosen for a chance at more life..then he continued to live fully...he had the answers and he applied them. Just missed him so much even before a goodbye because I never knew when it would be the next time. Tremendously easy going strong hero that sought just to work and live and be his happiest everyday. If this is true...I was so lucky for the time we had together. He was so amazing! - Gena Landis "Eric was like a LoneRanger, trying to do what is right to the best of his abilities. Though he was Lone it seemed like he carried the world on his shoulders. Like most people he was always looking for answers to make the best decisions possible with little to no recognition for his efforts or work. He always talked about his plumbing days, and how crappy things start and the clean out comes with the right tools, knowledge, and help. He also talked about anything being possible that is why he had such high hopes and ambitions that seemed impossible for the moment but the more you worked on them the possibilities are endless and greater. He loved his rest and recovery almost as much as he liked making new dreams of success. He liked to say "Anything is possible..that's why you reach for high hopes..it's all you can do". -Matthew Wayne Cunningham "Eric Vaughn Cunningham was a loving, caring brother, uncle, nephew and friend. Eric had a spirit that could light up a room and he had the ability to make special connections with all those he encountered. Eric loved Freedom, Family, and THE OPEN ROAD! The love Eric showed his nieces and nephews was special, unconditional, and abundant. The impression of love he has left us will always keep us connected and strong. Eric will be eternally missed by all, most of all his siblings. Who he worked hard to keep together! His love lives through us all." -Sara Kincaid Cunningham "Eric, This would be the first time I have ever written you a letter and the first time I told you I love you. I do and know you are at peace right now. You had a hard life and I am really sorry about that. You deserved better. You were a caring person and I want to let you know I saw that. I am really glad we were able to have that long talk after our mother died. You reached out to me and I will always remember that. I am going to miss you Eric. I know I will see you again." -From your Loving brother Noel Scot Cunningham "This man was a one of a kind soul. Type of person you may cross paths with once, but never twice. Continuously thought about family and friends, and did everything he could to bring a smile to every person who may have come in contact with him. I'm his nephew, and wasn't able to comprehend much when I had the privilege to be around Eric because of my young age at the time, but this could not cloud the sunshine this man brought to many in such a divine, chill, and genuine way. I wish I had made a million more memories with this man, but I will always treasure the memories and good times Eric gave me, not only as his family member, but also as his friend. I love you Uncle Eric." -Sincerely, Vincent Coleman "Our Uncle Eric was truly one of a kind, I have never met anyone so engaging, kind, and positive. There was an energy to him that made you want to talk and laugh with him for hours about anything and everything. He had many plans and dreams of what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. He would stay with us when taking a break from trucking and he would tell me these stories about his childhood, trucking, his teenage years, conspiracies, some crazy situations he got into, and they were always delivered so lightly and with a smile no matter how heavy they were. He was an amazing cook, everyone was excited when Eric would be in the kitchen because you knew we'd be eating something good. He always wanted to have his own restaurant and cook for many, something I admired something I always admired about him, Dreaming Big! I remember before his heart transplant, he was on a very limited diet and he would watch ASMR videos of people eating because he couldn't. He would watch these videos ALL the time, and I would overhear it for a second and know exactly what he was watching. I don't know why but I thought it was the funniest thing. But if you know Eric and his love for food, it makes all the sense. Death is so weird, I feel like he will text in the family group chat any moment with his life updates on the road or a random selfie, he always sent the best selfies. It will be hard not having that positivity and light around anymore, but I am so thankful for the time and memories we had together. I love and miss you Uncle Eric." -Kiyah Aleise Cunningham "It's hard to believe that he is no longer here in this realm. However, I am comforted to know that he will be watching over all his family in a better realm than this. He always looked out for everyone and made sure we had what we needed. I was fortunate to be his niece and will always have his memory in my heart. Thank you for your life Uncle Eric!!! May you forever rest in peace. " - Khadija Wade "Eric was my Uncle, the 2 times in my life we got to spend time together it was from his initiative Uncle, thank you for being a light in the world." - Amia Grace Cunningham "Eric after all the times you came over to our country house to take your rest days with our family and hearing you ramble about your restaurant and how it'll have the best food around, how you always had a smile across your face to greet us, how you always had a joke to crack good or bad and still I'm stumbling on which words to put here to give you the proper goodbye that you deserve, but I'll do my best. I don't know much about your childhood, teenage years, or most of your adult life but what I do know is that you had a very lighthearted outlook on life and it's something I will always remember, even after recovering from your heart transplant...still cracking jokes...still smiling. You would always say with such vigor "My heart transplant changed my DNA". I'm not sure if that was true or not but I celebrated your new DNA with you. You taught me how admirable being tenacious is, and if you get pushed down you get back up even stronger. All I want for you now is to rest like you never have before. We miss and love you and this happened very suddenly. I know everyone is grieving in their own way but I just wanted to say that time may seem cruel and that there's not enough of it, but time gives before it takes and what it gave me were a lot of happy memories with my Uncle Eric and I'm forever thankful for that." -William Elijah Cunningham "Eric, I love you and I'm going to miss you, You were my earliest playmate. We grew up together and I'm going to miss you. I love you so much...Bye!" -Valencia Cunningham "Eric would always tell me stories of him when he was younger, all the crazy things he did, his experiences, he also shared the tough things he had to go through. He was someone who had to overcome a lot in his life, he didn't dwell on the bad or waste his time grieving, he just kept on trucking and being bubbly Uncle Eric. I am thankful for all the time and memories I got to make with him. I always loved and appreciated it when he would come to my games and cheer me on on the sidelines. We would get food after and he would talk trash and give me pointers. We all miss and love Eric." -Kiren Matthew-Wayne Cunningham Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, March 18th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Eric Vaughn Cunningham

October 30, 1964 - December 26, 2023