Fenton Sims Cunningham, III

Fenton Sims Cunningham, III passed away on April 4, 2024.

He was born in Louisville, KY to Dr. Fenton S. Cunningham and Betty Duncan Cunningham and was nicknamed “Butch” by his favorite aunt, Margaret Ricketts (who he called “Gaggie”).

After moving to Asheville as a young child, Fenton began studying classical piano and became interested in art and painting. From the third to the twelfth grade, he spent every afternoon practicing piano and continued to paint and enjoy art his whole life. At the age of five he got his first horse and loved riding with his father and grandfather on their farm on Brevard Road. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandparents in LaGrange, KY, mostly because his granny made everything sweet that her grandson loved.

Fenton graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1964, where everyone knew him as Butch. He later graduated from Elon College with a degree in English History and also received a graduate degree from Rutgers University.

Fenton had a 38-year banking career that took him to Tryon with Northwestern Bank and Fayetteville with First Citizens Bank. He spent his last twenty years in banking as Group Vice President In Charge Of Special Assets Division with First Citizens Bank and Trust. He was active in the community throughout his career in United Way, Rotary, Lions Club and Chamber Of Commerce.

He was a member of the Basilica Of St. Lawrence and a former member of the Raleigh Country Club, Highland Country Club of Fayetteville, Biltmore Forest Country Club and the Country Club Of Asheville, where he played many rounds of golf. Fenton made a hole in one on his birthday in 1985 on #9 at Biltmore Forest CC.

Because of his love of English History, Fenton was a charter member of the International Churchill Society and traveled the world with his wife, Mary. He was especially proud of his association with the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels since being commissioned by the governor of Kentucky in 1976.

Fenton was an art collector, a lover of books, NC mountains, the Sandhills and Kentucky horse country. His favorite place on Earth was Churchill Downs and felt honored to present the trophy to the winning horse and jockey at one of the races during the Fall Meet.

Fenton is survived by his wife, Mary Lanning Cunningham of Asheville and his mother, Betty Duncan Cunningham of Louisville, KY. Fenton loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews, his aunt Gaggie and most of all, his Mary.

Services for Fenton will be held starting at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 8 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden. His family will greet friends at the funeral home immediately following the service.