James Paul Cunningham, 97, went to his eternal home in heaven on Friday, May 1, 2026. Under the kind care of VITAS Hospice, Paul passed peacefully at home in Prosper, Texas.

Paul and his twin sister, Pauline, were born May 16, 1928, in Lindsay, Oklahoma to Merrell Leelon and Clara (Hope) Cunningham, of the Hughes community, near Lindsay, OK. Older siblings were Alta Ruth, Nora Faye, and Ralph Lee. Paul graduated from Hughes High School in 1946, and the University of Oklahoma in 1951. He taught math at Capitol Hill Junior High School in Oklahoma City until he was called to serve 2 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1957. He was stationed in French Morocco, North Africa, and San Antonio, Texas, where he met Freda Ritchey. They married in 1957, and moved back to Oklahoma City where he taught three more years of junior high math at Classen Jr-Sr High School.

In 1960, Paul gave up teaching and joined Royal W. Carson & Co., selling mutual funds. He worked for several brokerage firms, and was branch manager of the San Antonio and Oklahoma City offices of E. F. Hutton & Co.

In 1988, Paul founded the investment firm, Merit Advisors, where he was President until he retired in 2012. Four years later he founded another investment firm, Signal Research Group. He finally retired in 2016. The highlight of his 52 year career was starting and managing high yield bond funds for his clients.

Paul self-published two books, "Letters from a Farm Boy," a compilation of stories from his childhood, and a catalog of the songwriting of his son, Grant, after his sudden death in 2002. Paul was passionate about literacy, so he developed Spell Riet, a simplified spelling system to help kids read and write English more easily.

Paul became a follower of Christ in 1985. He served in his church as deacon and Sunday School teacher until 2024. He was also a member of the Christian Businessmen's Connection in Oklahoma City, and served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. After his final retirement, he volunteered four days a week as greeter, receptionist, and managed the prayer report at Northwest Baptist Church.

Paul is survived by daughter, Carmen Choate (Kent) of Sand Springs, OK; daughter, Nancy Royall (Bob), of Prosper, TX; daughter-in-law, Kristin Henke (Jim) of Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Kendall Choate (Kasey), Kyle Choate, Kevin Choate (Carley), Ashlyn Royall, Erin Royall, Caitlin Ebadipour (Erfan), Will Cunningham Henke (Kali), Evan Cunningham Henke (Ansley), and Blake Cunningham Henke; great-grandchildren, Kamsin, Cera, Kendi, Kaleo, Sadie, and Norah. He was predeceased by his wife, Freda (March 12, 2026), his parents, four siblings, and son Grant.

Paul will be remembered for his enduring wit, tenacity for any project that needed to be tackled, a competitive drive to improve anything, love of ice cream, utmost integrity, and love for his family. He will be missed, yet fondly and proudly remembered.

The family is very appreciative of the kind care and support of the nurses and staff of VITAS Hospice. They made Dad's final days easier and more comfortable.

Friends may honor Paul with memorial donations to the Champs Camp Scholarship Fund at Northwest Baptist Church, 3030 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

Paul's memorial service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 am, at the Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Interment of his earthly remains will be in the Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151