Mikey Cunningham
1967 – 2019, age 51
Michael Allen Cunningham was born in Albuquerque, NM, Dec 12, 1967. He passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on July 30, 2019 at the age of 51, also in Albuquerque.
Mikey was a beloved husband, son, son-in-love, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, friend, philosopher, humorist, musician, and novelist. His mystery novels were published under the pen name MJ Allen. He had many more books and series planned, I wish we could read them!
Mikey spent most of his childhood in Dallas, TX, graduating from Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (piano & vocal clusters). After making MANY memories with the Walnut Hills & Preston Road Churches of Christ singles groups, Mikey eventually moved to Denver while working with Qwest.
Mikey met Janet via eHarmony in 2001. On their first date, he took Janet AND her parents out to lunch. He won them over that first day… and Janet & Mikey were married 364 days later. During their 17 years of marriage, they lived in Aurora & Englewood (suburbs of Denver), Dallas, Trophy Club, Keller & Grapevine (all parts of D/FW), Colorado Springs and finally Albuquerque.
Janet & Mikey took care of Janet’s dad after he suffered strokes. The Cunninghams moved into the Regers’ basement. Mikey showed his love to Jake daily — watching TV with him & telling him jokes. Jake lit up & leaned forward when Mikey walked into the room, ready to giggle. After Jake passed & Charlene entered an assisted living facility, Mikey agreed to let Charlene move BACK in with Mikey & Janet. Who does that?! He smiled & joked, “Jewels in my crown!” Can’t wait to see that crown!
Mikey continued to find joy in music: playing many instruments, singing, writing & arranging throughout his life, most recently performing in Albuquerque with hONEyhoUSe: Hillary Smith, Yvonne Perea, Mandy Buchanan, Danielle Andrade & Dianne De Leon.
After 28 years of attending many colleges with varied areas of focus from business to Spanish, theology to English, Mikey graduated from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs with a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy. He went on to complete a masters degree at the University of New Mexico, also in philosophy. He loved to think deep thoughts — and talk about Nothing. He was a voracious reader, insisting on knowing something about everything and a lot about most things.
In Oct 2018, Mikey was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. He beat it with grace & class. He even conquered having a new shape to his tongue — and was able to both speak & sing with little to no difference. (Thanks Dr Mudd!)
After facing cancer, Mikey started living differently. He was getting into shape & losing weight. He had a new zest for life. And he discovered writing, his true passion. He wrote 4 books in 5 months and was primed to write so many more. If you haven’t read them, you should. His characters are engaging and it amazes me how scene after unique scene flowed from his fingers.
Mikey is survived by his wife, Janet, his grandfather Jack Cunningham Sr, his parents, Jack & Twilla Cunningham, his brother Scott (Susanna Teague) Cunningham, many nieces and nephews, extended family, countless friends, music fans & hONEyheads, and his two dogs: Pirate & Lobo.
Mikey & Janet ask that you be kind to each other, care for those less fortunate, and hug those you love, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. This is not the tomorrow we were planning, but it is the one we’ve been given.
My knight in shining armor 
Our last Sunday 
He can’t back out now! 
Always talking! 
Novelist Mikey 
We 1.0 
Felipe, Janet & Mikey 
Boxing Day breakfast! 
Mikey’s alter ego 
Love you more! 
Groovy! 
New hONEyhoUSe hats! 
Our last Fri, with Yvonne 
Hawaii 
Master Mikey! 
Mikey & Bunny 
Trouble! 
We love music! 
Vegas for lunch 
Dashing 
Goofballs 
Food Fight!! 
Uncle Mikey & Chris 
You will pay! 
Maestro Mikey 
Dallas Family 
COS Family 
First Date! 
We’re married! 
Professional Mikey 
Missing Mandy 
Peace Jam 
hONEyhoUSe 
Song AND dance! 
Yvonne Perea 
Congrats Jen! 
Don’t you dare! 
You’re wrong, ha! 
Thinking… 
Cancer Free! 
Party! 
Solved it! 
HS Grad 
Cutie-pie 
Senior pic 
Uncle Mike & Morgan 
Listen to Art 
The world is funny! 
Charisma! 
Deep thoughts 
Proud of Janet 
The Boys 
Laughing while singing 
We 2.0
I love you, babe. Sorry I couldn’t get a “real” obit, they’re really expensive! But this way I could write as much as I wanted… though it turns out I could write forever, so I made myself stop.
I don’t know how to do this without you. We had so many plans, so many dreams. I’m trying to edit your last book… but all I want to do is tell you how good it is!
I’m so glad we had that last weekend… and that last day together. Thank goodness for that! I hope you knew how much I love you. I know you knew that you were my rock. And now I am adrift….
Mikey’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MikeyCunningham
Janet, thank you for setting this up so that we can have a place to remember Mike(y). I have not really accepted the fact that I can’t call him when I don’t understand something, or need to argue with him about something where I’m pretty sure we’ll disagree. Or talk about our books or ideas for books. Or just visit about nothing. I can’t think of anyone who was a better conversationalist, if that’s a word. (He’d know). Most everyone has lost someone, but no one knows “exactly how we feel” because every loss is different and each of us is affected differently. The best way to help someone grieve is to stand by them, hug them and it’s even ok to cry with them.
Mike, I love you, and will always miss you.
Dad.
I will struggle in the days and weeks ahead, wondering what Mikey would think about this or that — and realizing yet again that I’m not able to text or call him. I will deeply grieve him and the gaping hole he has left in my heart (and his absolutely wonderful hugs), but I’m not giving up my conversations with him because: 1) I know deep inside what he likely would think, which is why I would like to connect with him; and 2) I know that he is ALIVE because he has met the risen Jesus and I will see him again. This is not the end of the Mikey connection — just experiencing this incredibly sad season without him on planet earth.
What a fantastic way to have everyone show their love for Mikey!
Mikey like Janet is one of a kind. You couldn’t help but love him. He was always happy and loving!
Mikey, I know you have your own band there in heaven and each of you are wearing “sunglasses ”
Rock on until we meet again!
Jack, I cry with you and Twilla even though we are miles apart. You also, Janet. Chuck and I are so very sorry. God bless you all. Love and prayers, Dana
To Mikey:
Your heart is larger than you and that’s why God needed you. Thank you for your friendship, support for Skye and sharing 💞 your abundant talent. Your Resume was ultimate!! Wish we could of wrote the child’s book.. oh you’re making me think about it and something I have to finish before I go. Using Skye and hopefully Janet.
You are special and never forgotten 👍✨🎶
💖Love you Man ✌️😎
I didn’t know Mikey. We have enjoyed listening to his music. We haven’t gotten aroun to reading his books, but, plan to very soon. If they are as good as his music, he must be a genius. My husband and I were in Jal Schools with Jack and Twilla and we are still very good friends. This is an awesome site and a beautiful tribute. You did a awesome job. I know that you miss him as do the rest of the family. Tom and Revae Pool
I am crying right now because of this beautiful tribute to the son of my good friends, Jack and Twilla. I only met Mikey a few times after he was grown and while living in Dallas, but I knew he was a very talented and special person, even back then. Janet, I love how you have given us a glimpse into his life and it shows just how well loved he is. (((HUGS))) to everyone who misses Mikey.
Janet, may God’s blessings comfort you and give you peace. Jackie and Twilla, I know the hole in your heart seems endless, but I also know you have the comfort of knowing your son is safe and well and rejoicing with his Lord! This is a beautiful tribute to Mikey and I know it is well deserved. May God richly bless and comfort each of you and the peace that only He can give surround you. Don and Vida (Dyer) Simpson
Mikey… you were truly an inspiration to me when you would teach in Sunday School….you helped me see things in a different way!! I am forever grateful to you for helping me understand my God and my faith a little better. I will see you on the other side my friend!!!❤️