When Doug Cunningham clocked out of Johnnie’s for the last time, it marked the end of an incredible era. After 52 years, Cunningham, 65, finally hung up his apron—though he admits he’ll still be in for an iced tea or two.
“I’d just left junior high when I started,” he said. “I was 13, turning 14, washing dishes six nights a week from five to eleven. That’s not even legal now,” he laughed.
What began as a teenage job turned into a lifelong calling. Cunningham stayed through high school and college at UCO, and when he got married at 21, he stepped into management. “That was 1981, the same year we opened the Edmond store,” he said. “At that time, there were just two Johnnie’s locations. Eventually, we grew to eight.”…