Ronald Lee "Ron" Cundiff

Ronald L. Cundiff, 77, affectionately known by many as "The Undertaker," passed to his eternal home on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, after a long and courageous fight with cancer. He was optimistic until the very end, always with a positive attitude. Ron was passionate about horseback riding and sought a way to get back on the trail. He had a smile for everybody and loved to laugh and talk to anyone and everyone. The tales told by many trail-riders and boaters alike are abundant and will live on as a memory of this man who lived life to the fullest. He strived to learn something new by becoming a pilot, scuba diving, ballroom dancing, and giving it his all. Providing comfort as a funeral director and being dedicated to his profession for over 50 years, he has touched and been touched by many community members. Ron was one of the founding fathers of the Central Kentucky Limousine Service, of which he is a stock-holder and Board Member.  He was very involved with the Bi-Centennial, which led to the Jessamine Jamboree and the resurrection of the Jessamine Chamber of Commerce, of which he became President and worked tirelessly with many others to be sure it was a success. He was a former member of the Jessamine Jaycees, a member of the Hart Lodge F&AM, and Oleika Shriners, where he was a member of the Horse Patrol and the Scottish Rite.

Ron was born April 3, 1946, in Covington, KY, the only son of the late Kelly and Eva Davis Cundiff. He lived most of his life in Lee County, KY, until moving to Cincinnati to complete his high school education, after which he attended EKU and Cincinnati Mortuary School graduating in 1967.  He then began his career in Nicholasville with Guyn, Kurtz, & Hager Funeral Home and his apprenticeship under Elesteen Hager, who was well-known statewide for his expertise in embalming. In 1973 Ron purchased the Funeral Home, which he has owned for over 50 years.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his maternal uncles, James and Cecil Davis.

There are numerous close horseback-riding and boating friends he considered family who will continue sharing stories of "The Undertaker ." His memory will be cherished by a loving wife of 57 years, Diann Underwood Cundiff; daughter Kelli-Lynn Canup with her husband Mitch; and "his boy," Lee Cundiff, DVM, and his wife, Wendy. Ben, Will, Drew, Braden, and Jacob, Ron's grandsons, will cherish and share their memories of their "Grumpdad."  In addition, Ron is survived by Connie Davis (maternal aunt), Gail Krimm (cousin), her husband Bernie, and their son James "JB" Davis with his wife, Mary.

"Gunner," his loyal canine companion,  will continue waiting for him in his favorite chair.

The family will greet friends on Sunday April 23  beginning at 1:00 PM, with a Masonic Service to be held at 7:30 PM. The Remembrance Service will be 11:00 AM Monday at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home with Bro. Bill Bales and Doug Fain officiating. He will be laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery with Randy Wolf, James Chambers, Rondal Reed, Roy Williams, Mike Gill, Clay Corman, Dwight Willis, and Jimmy Peel as pallbearers.  Honorary bearers will be Marilyn Welch, Paula Biddle, Eva McDaniel, Robert Williams, Jim Creech, Jerry Garrett, Sammy Bowman, Billy Fount House, Sandie Hammond, and Coy Palmer. In planning his own funeral he requested you come dressed as how he knew you.  The family requests donations in his memory to be made to  Multiple Myeloma Research (themmfr.org) or to Bethel Christian Church Building Fund.

" How lucky we are to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

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