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Cleve Adam Kanupp, Jr.
"Buddy"
08/27/2023
Cleve Adam Kanupp, Jr – better known to all as Buddy, was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina on April 10, 1956 to Lucy Helen Brittian and Cleve Adam Kanupp Sr. He moved to Florida at an early age and lived in DeLand, Florida most of his life. He attended schools in DeLand and graduated from DeLand High School in 1974. Buddy was involved in the weightlifting team as well as both Junior Varsity and Varsity football. Most of his days were spent with his oldest friend, Ronnie Hickman. If there was ever trouble to be found, it was usually by those two.
In 1976 he met the love of his life, Marylou, and they were married a mere 5 months after that. Buddy and Marylou would have been married 47 years on September 4. They have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. Buddy and Marylou took pride in their family, and Buddy worked very hard to provide for them, to teach his sons about love and family, and to be an example to all.
Most of Buddy’s working career was at Sherwood Medical, which was bought and sold several times, ending with Medtronics. He started off as a mechanical laborer, but later was recruited to work in the new Robotics department. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2005, and this enabled him to move up the ladder so to speak in the organization.
Buddy and Lou loved to travel, going on many cruises and road trips. Once they retired 3 years ago, they cruised about once a month. They cruised with family, with friends, and with their WATs. Rarely did they cruise alone, but when they did it was special.
In his younger days, Bud was an avid bowler. You could catch him many nights pot bowling or bowling on several leagues. In addition, he coached the kid’s bowling leagues and was a chaperone on may state tournaments. This kids always tried to throw him in the pool, but never managed to do so.
He was a big man with a big heart, who absolutely cherished his wife and his children. He was called “Dad” by many of his boy’s friends. There was so much more to this man than the few words written here. It is said that a life is measured by the dash between birth and death and Buddy sure filled up his dash.
Buddy died very peacefully on August 27, 2023 at his home in Deltona. He is survived by his wife Marylou, his oldest son Ross and his wife Melissa, his middle son Jared, and the youngest son David and his wife Elizebeth. He has 5 grandchildren: Max Kanupp, Braden Kanupp, Zeldalise Kanupp, Beckett Gavin and Evelyn Gavin. Buddy is also survived by his sister Kay Kanupp, and numerous nieces and nephews.. He is predeceased by his sister Linda Grimm.
A very special mention has to be made to: sister in law Jeanette Oberst, sister in law Karen Umstattd, bothers in law Bill Umstattd, Dwayne Umstattd and Mark Oberst, Ronnie and Sharon Hickman, Vince and Margaret Crandall, Mike and Theresa Brooks, Lamar Johnson, Milo and Suzanne Metcalf, Glenn and Patty Hettinger, Yvonne and Don Fennell. Special mention to Beth Kanupp, Alison Sylvia, Julie Hand, and Robin Decker.
Family will receive friends on Saturday September 2, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm with a service immediately following at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand. All are invited back to Bud’s house for a bite and a toast. Flowers can be sent to Lankford Funeral Home, 220 East New York Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 no later than Saturday at noon.