Gene Ted Cunningham

Gene Ted AKA Tater, Unk, Ted, Grandpa, Great PePaw, Gramps passed away on August 22, 2021. He was born on February 27, 1932 and grew up in Clute, TX. As a young man he loved to rodeo and was a member of the Southwest Rodeo Association in the late 1940's and early 1950's. He worked at Freeport Sulfur Company for a few years and was a longshoreman at the Port of Freeport until his retirement. He was a Brazoria County Constable for the Brazosport area in the 1960's and was a Reserve Deputy for the Brazoria County Sheriff's Department from the 1960's until 1993. He was also a member of the Brazoria County Peace Officers Association. He loved working security on horseback for the Brazoria County Trail Ride Association for many years. In 1978, Gene Ted's grandson, Ronnie Hill, was a student of Linda's. He introduced Gene Ted and Lou to Linda at the BCFA Fall Trail Ride, and they rode the spring and fall trail rides together until Lou passed away in 1986. Being good friends, Gene Ted and Linda continued their friendship with their marriage in 1988. They became volunteers with the Brazoria Co. Fair Assoc. and 4-H Horse projects, Linda as an announcer and Gene Ted as an arena judge and flagman. Family vacations took them to California, Hawaii, and Alaska. They were always together as they hauled across Texas with the horses participating in horse shows and developed lasting friendships with the rodeo families they met. As a lifetime member of the Brazoria County Fair Association, he served on many committees and was a flag man for many years for the youth rodeo series. The youth rodeo committee even had a reserved seat for him near the main gate of the arena with his name on it. And everyone knew not to try to work HIS gate. Gene Ted never met a stranger and was greatly respected by all who knew him. He received many awards for his time volunteering, including Outstanding Volunteer Leader for 2002 from The Brazoria Co. 4-H; Outstanding Loyalty, Dedication and Service 2002 by the Brazoria Co Horse Program; Buckle Award for Brazoria Co. 4-H; Buckle Award for Arena Judge 2009 from Brazoria Co. Team Penning Committee; Spur Award Honorary Board of Directors 2002, from Brazoria Co. Fair Assoc.; The Star Award 2010 from the Volunteer Service Council of Richmond State Supported Living Center; and the Texas Dept of Aging and Disability Series Appreciation Award 2007. He was a member of Community Baptist Church in Danbury. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Gene Ted was pre-deceased by his parents Newt and Bessie Neel Cunningham; his brother John Robert Cunningham; his sister Ima Joyce Cunningham Lankford; his wife Wilma Lucille "Lou" Drake Cunningham; his great granddaughter Hannah Alyssa Hill, his in-laws Mr. & Mrs. L. C. Zwernemann; his brother-in-law L. Conrad Zwernemann Jr. Left to cherish his memory are wife Linda Atkins; his daughters Brenda Cunningham Goolsby (Mickey), Lucia Cunningham Sanders (Steve); stepsons Benny Hudson (Jackie), Kyle Atkins (Victoria); stepdaughters Sandra Hudson Hill (Jamie), Jill Atkins Iparrea (Javier); 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews, dear loved ones, and friends. Pallbearers Mark Duhe, Don Greak, Benny Hudson, Peyton Hill, Allen Hill, Aaron Eddlemon, Marcey Farley, Jake Hill; Honorary Pallbearers Otis Duckie Andrus, Donald Rice, Cody Savage, Cody Williams, Andy Hodges, Kenny Lamb. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service following at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton, TX. Service Details. Visitation When Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location Palms Funeral Home Address 2300 E. Mulberry ANGLETON, TX 77515 Service When Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 2:00pm Location Palms Funeral Home Address 2300 E. Mulberry ANGLETON, TX 77515 Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book