Terry Ford Cundiff

Terry Ford Cundiff was born July 17, 1922, in Glade Hill, VA, and passed away on Saturday Evening, October 13, 2012. At the time of his death, Mr. Cundiff was the last survivor of the 14 children born to Joseph Harry and Fannie Kate Mattox Cundiff and the only boy in the family to earn a Glade Hill High School diploma during the Great Depression. Mr. Cundiff entered the U.S. Army soon after graduation and was deployed to Europe in December 1942, where he earned a Purple Heart with a Cluster when he was wounded during the historic D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. After a lengthy period of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Mr. Cundiff, who was known as Ford, returned to Franklin County in May 1946. Upon his return home, Ford began studying in Roanoke at National Business College. It was during this time that he met and married Thelma Anne Ramsey (deceased). The couple is survived by four children, Wayne Cundiff (Valerie) of Roanoke, Phyllis (Conrad) Lavinder of Rocky Mount and Sarah C. Bowles of Rocky Mount, and Brian (Joy) Cundiff of Sydnorsville. "Pa Pa" Cundiff also had eight grandchildren Anthony (Faye) Cundiff, Lorrie Anne (Cannon) Watson, Jonathan Lavinder, Jason Lavinder, Daniel Bowles, Josh Bowles, Breanna Bowles, Wyatt Cundiff, and two step-granddaughters, Kelli Eagle and Jessi Eagle. He is also survived by three great-grandchlidren, Ethan and Sophie Watson and Ashlee Cundiff; special caregiver Glen Wimmer. In 1946, Mr. Cundiff developed a partnership and formed Rocky Mount Lumber Company, which later became Cundiff Lumber Company, Inc. and which operated until 1997. From 1960-1968 he served as a member of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. He was Vice President of The League of Virginia Counties and was a major proponent of the retail sales tax which was enacted during that time period. Prior to being on the Board, Mr. Cundiff was a key supporter of the Smith Mountain Lake project. Mr. Cundiff at one time owned over 1,000 acres of land and was proud that it was all located in Franklin County. During these years, he was also on the Executive Board of Franklin Memorial Hospital, an active member of the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church and a state representative for the Rocky Mount Jaycees. One of Mr. Cundiff's favorite hobbies was collecting coins. He was also a renowned hunter. For 70+ years, Ford hunted bear, deer, squirrel, various birds, and his favorite--raccoons. He won over 100 'Coon hunting trophies from New York to South Carolina and from Michigan to Texas, including the Maryland State Championship. His constant companions on these many missions were Black & Tan, Blue Tick, and Walker Hounds. He was proud to be one of the founders of the Southeastern Treeing Walkers Association. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct 17th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home on U.S. 220. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 11:00 am at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Tuttle officiating. Like so many members of "The Greatest Generation", Mr. Cundiff was very proud of his service to his country, therefore, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005.