Obituary

Robert Glen Cundiff, age 92, passed away July 17, 2026, at his home at Mt. Carmel High School in Jackson, KY. He was born September 24, 1933 , at his home at War Creek, Kentucky, the son of the late William Daniel Cundiff and Lula Mae Johnson Cundiff.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Lois Davis Cundiff and six infant siblings: Emily, Hazel, Russell, Earl, Thelma and Velma. He grew up as the only child in the home because his only surviving siblings were his much older half-brothers Herbert, Richard, Breck, and Matthew.

He is survived by three daughters, Cheryl Crane (Bill), Jacksonville, NC; Debbie Merrill(Matt), Versailles, KY; and Kathy Hazle (Stephen), Coxs Creek, KY. Survivors include four grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth Crane Klimkowski (David), James Robert Cundiff Merrill (Becca), Joshua Stephen Hazle, Jamison Thomas Hazle, and one great-grandson, James Michael Klimkowski.

Through his 92 years, he touched many lives with his wisdom, humor and dedication to the two greatest Biblical commandments to love God and love your neighbor.

Robert was a proud alumni of Mt. Carmel High School, Kentucky Mountain BibleCollege, and Asbury University, where he earned his teaching credentials. Before attending Asbury, he taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Breathitt County on an emergency certificate for two years. While at Asbury he served as a pastor of Penny’s Chapel Methodist Church near Lawrenceburg, KY.

Following graduation from college, he and his bride Ruth pastored London Community Church and taught high school in Laurel County for three years. In 1962 they moved to the campus of Mt. Carmel High School where they faithfully taught for 43 years. Throughout their teaching career he and Ruth served as dorm parents, sponsored classes and directed plays, programs and banquets. They managed the yearbook for 21 years, performed many campus tasks and served as leaders of the Mt. Carmel Former Students Association for over three decades.

Robert continued his preaching while serving on staff at Mt. Carmel. He spoke at numerous revivals, camp meetings and youth camps both locally and in other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, and New Jersey. He enjoyed his work with Jackson Kiwanis Club, providing the “spiritual moment” for their meetings. He also was honored to be a member of the Breathitt County Museum Board. For years, Robert and Ruth grew a wonderful garden and enjoyed sharing the bounty with neighbors and family.

It was a privilege for Robert to serve his beloved local families, presiding over many weddings and funerals in homes and churches. In one small local graveyard, he counted headstones representing 34 funerals he had performed. For decades he managed three graveyards, handling donations and making sure the cemeteries were mowed and maintained.

Since 1955, Robert enjoyed a ministry at Mountain Gospel Radio 99.9 FM. His messages can still be heard every weekday at 8:05 AM for a five minute “Reflections from the Word” devotional, and on Wednesday evening for a Vespers sermon at 6:00. On the broadcast, he identified himself as “Your Old Neighbor from War Creek.”

He maintained life-long friendships from his childhood community and each place he lived. Robert often joked that he never made it far in life, since he lived two miles from his birthplace. The reality is his influence was widespread through the lives of countless people as he humbly followed God’s leading.

As a junior high school student, Robert accepted Jesus as his Savior. The next day, he fully surrendered his life and was sanctified holy. For the rest of his life, he often referred to January 27 th and 28 th 1951 as spiritual birthdays when he put everything on the altar. He always added, “and I have never taken anything off of it!” His greatest desire was that everyone he knew would know Jesus too.

Visitation for Robert will be held at the Breathitt Funeral Home in Jackson, Ky, from 6:00-9:00 PM on Saturday, July 25, 2026. His Funeral Service will be held in McConnell Auditorium on the campus of Mt. Carmel School on Sunday, July 26, beginning at 3:00 PM with Rev. Thomas Lorimer and Rev. David Spencer officiating. Burial will follow in the Lawson Cemetery at Mount Carmel with Bill Crane, Michael Harris, Jamison Hazle, Joshua Hazle, David Klimkowski, James Merrill, and Matt Merrill serving as pallbearers. 

Honorary pallbearers are; James Allen, David Bryant, John Bunn, Berry Combs, Jerry Cox, Sam Deal, Leroy Detwiler, Sam Fisher, David Gross, Delmer Gross, Johnnie Gross, Charlie Glover, Jamon Halvaksz, Charles Hayes, Raymond Heater, Conley Hibbitts, Keith Knight, John McFerren, David McIntosh, Mervin Manns, Sam Marshall, Charles Miller, Jonah Mitchell, Quincy Murphree, James Neihof, Joe Profitt, Matt Shackelford, Ken Smith, Bill Watkins, Hobert Watts, Howie Wickliffe, David Withrow, David Wright, Paul Gross, Andy Hayes, Matthew Kinnell, John Lucas, Ken Phillips and Jay Wisler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Robert Cundiff Memorial Project, to be administered by the Mt. Carmel Former Students Association. Contributions can be sent to Lori Detwiler Phillips (Treasurer) 928 Brookhaven Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601.