Harold Woodrow "Bud" Cunningham Jr.

Harold Woodrow “Bud” Cunningham, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17th, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Bud was a devoted Christian and was ordained as a deacon, spending his final years as a member of West Hills Baptist Church. His life was proof of his love of God, family, friends and University of Tennessee sports. Bud also found great joy in sharing his many life stories. His vivid tales brought laughter and warmth to everyone who listened.

Bud was born July 19, 1937 in Knoxville to Harold and Ernestine Cunningham and was the oldest of six children. He attended Fulton High School and competed at the state championship level for the track team. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army and Reserves from 1957 until 1963. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1961 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Bud went on to have a very successful career in the commercial insurance industry.

In 1957, Bud married Bettye Jean Hughes, with whom he shared 23 loving years and three children until she passed in 1981. He found love again and married Carolyn Strange Pless, spending over 45 years by her side. They enjoyed their lake home, hiking, playing tennis and traveling the world together, often with their closest friends. Bud and Carolyn had five children between them, with their growing family now including thirteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two more on the way! Bud was a loving patriarch. He spent countless hours both coaching and attending his children and grandchildren's varied activities.

Bud is survived by his wife, Carolyn, son, Mark (Metra) Cunningham, son, Preston (Shawna) Cunningham, daughter, Mary Beth Cunin, stepdaughter, Shelley (Ben) Newport and stepson, Deke (Shannon) Pless, as well as his sisters Becky Vandergriff and Dotty Ludlow, brother Jerry Cunningham, and many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren and cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bettye Jean Hughes Cunningham, his parents, Harold and Ernestine Cunningham, and his sisters, Trisha Frasier and Kathy Hillard.

Family will be receiving friends on Thursday, August 20th at 5pm with a service to follow at 6:30pm at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, where Bud spent fifteen years as a volunteer with his dear friend, Frank Word.

Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com