Paul Eugene (Gene) Cunningham, age 92, passed from this life on July 28, 2026, at Harton Hospital in Tullahoma, surrounded by his family and loved ones after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at Doak Funeral Home in Shelbyville on August 1, 2026, with the Reverend Jon Nelms officiating. Visitation will begin 10:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest in the family plot at Maxwell Cemetery in Rover.
Gene was born on October 18, 1933, in the Potleg Community of Bedford County, to Clarence Eugene Cunningham, and Annie Pauline Smith Cunningham. He was married to his late wife, Claudine Bullock Cunningham for 44 years and they resided in Shelbyville. Gene faithfully served Shelbyville as a firefighter for 36-1/2 years and retired as a Captain. On his “off” days, Gene worked at Carlton Motors and could be found detailing cars and also restoring cars to their original beauty through body repairs and paint jobs. Gene was immaculate with every job and task and his yard was a testimony to his talents. Many are unaware of his gift of playing the piano totally by ear—never reading music. He was part of another family through his love of Studebaker cars. Gene owned and restored a total of eleven plus cars and trucks during his lifetime. One truck now resides in an Indianapolis Museum still today. His shop has one left. Gene was a member of the Middle Tennessee Studebaker Drivers Club and received the Man of the Year award in November 2025. Gene attended and supported St. Paul Fellowship Church at Rover and 1st United Methodist Church at Shelbyville.
Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Claudine; his parents, Clarence & Pauline; his brothers, Donald Cunningham, Herbert Cunningham, and James A. Cunningham; sisters, Dorothy Cunningham, Alta Mae Cunningham, and Mary Lee Cunningham; granddaughter, Stephanie Cunningham Dudley.
Gene (known as the Studebaker Man in the Hoodlum Alley area), was a hardworking and loving man who was a friend to all who knew him. As a firefighter Gene was a great cook. He quietly went about his business and service to others, not looking for credit, glory, or fanfare but to just “get the job done.” Gene and his family hosted many annual gatherings at his Hoodlum Alley Shop for family events, Sunday School parties, and holiday Studebaker events until he was 90.
Gene was a Korean War Veteran and his job was to drive the Army chaplain. He was the only person who could drive the 5-speed Jeep Willy up the steep hill. Gene was honored and awarded a Quilt of Valor for his military service at his 85th birthday celebration.
Gene is survived by his special companion of 21 years, Lynda Phillips; his children Lisa (Mike) Gregory of Shelbyville; Rhonda (Tim) Boyce of Unionville; Jeff Cunningham of Shelbyville. Grandchildren: Michael (Amy) Gregory, Jenny (Jeffrey) Wiser, Cindy (Andrew) Stickler, Matt (Ashley) Gregory, Calli (Cody) Keele), Blair Boyce, Ashley (Nathan) Hale, Nathan Cunningham, Blake Cunningham, Kyle Cunningham and Jacob Cunningham. Great-grandchildren, Mattie, Maddox and Miccah Gregory, Hunter Elliott, Nicholas Wiser, Austin and Ethan Stickler, Willow and Wyatt Gregory, Braylon West, Landon and Easton Cassady, Harper Hale, Peyton Dudley of Georgia; Joshua, Hannah, and Landon Cunningham, Kolston Cunningham, Lilith and Ashton Cunningham, great great grandchildren, Scarlet Elliott, Sister, Georgia C. Wisdom of Lavergne; brothers, Calvin Cunningham, Kenneth Cunningham, Wayne Kinky (Donna) Cunningham, sister-in law, Bonnie Cunningham, and brother-in-law, Jerry Harber.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maxwell Cemetery at Rover in care of Amy Martin, 3681 Hwy 41A North, Unionville, TN 37180.
Doak Funeral Home is serving the family.
