Rowdy Earl Cutshaw, 94, of Greeneville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully Sept. 25, 2026, at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Brenda Cutshaw, whom he lovingly called Sapphire; children, Brook (Liz) Cutshaw, Dane Cutshaw (April) and Ronda Cutshaw; grandchildren, Megan (Mike) Smith, Jacob Cutshaw, Carter Beach, Zada Cutshaw, Reah Cutshaw and Denny West; great-grandchildren, Maggie and Max Smith and Bonnie, Denny and Thorin West; along with many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rubin and Anna Mae Cutshaw; sisters, Dorothy Wilhoit and Betty Kyker; and brother, Glenn Cutshaw.
Rowdy was born May 12, 1932, in the mountains of southern Greene County near Hazel Mountain. After the family moved to town, he attended Crescent School. At age 16, he moved to DeKalb, Illinois, to work at the Del Monte cannery and Katz Motors.
Rowdy later served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean Conflict, serving in France and at the Pentagon as a communications courier. Following his military service, he spent 20 years in Florida, working in the automotive field and later as a carpenter. After returning to Greeneville, he owned an auto body repair business and later Cutshaw Motors. He enjoyed searching for vehicles for the car lot, making many lifelong friends in the field.
After retirement, he had an early morning group of friends that he met at McDonald’s, or “The Gossip Shop,” as he called it. Rowdy embraced life with enthusiasm, enjoying swimming, camping, fishing, prospecting, gold panning and most any outdoor activity. While in Florida, he helped a friend build a sailboat called the Wild Burp, which they sailed around Florida and the Caribbean. Another highlight was that he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion.
Known for his adventurous spirit, quick wit and stories from the past, Rowdy never missed an opportunity to make people laugh or create memories. During the summer months, he was known to stop work, load up the neighborhood kids in the back of the truck and take them to some swimming hole to cool off.
Above all, Rowdy loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who found his greatest joy in spending time with those he loved. Rowdy will be remembered for his honesty, hard work, love of adventure, unforgettable sense of humor and devotion to family. His stories, laughter and spirit will live on in all who knew and loved him.
The family would like to extend thanks to special friend Charles McNabb and to devoted caregivers Kathy Bowens and Rachel Thompson, whom he lovingly called “Rowdy sitters,” for their friendship, kindness and support. There are not enough words to thank everyone at the VA for his excellent care, especially the ICU staff for their compassion for both the family and Rowdy and the honorable sendoff they provided.
Rowdy will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony, with a celebration of his life to be held from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at 2150 Middle Creek Road. Family and friends are invited to stop by.
Rowdy would rather you celebrate life the way he did. Take a fishing trip, go camping, sit by a fire with friends, find a swimming hole, spend time with family and friends, seek out a new adventure or simply do something that brings you joy.
Memorial donations may be made to the James H. Quillen (Mountain Home) VA Medical Center.
