Albert (A.B.) "Bud" Eargood, Jr

Albert Burton (A.B.) “Bud” Eargood, Jr., 91, passed away on April 8, 2024, at home surrounded by family.

He was born October 9, 1932, in Henderson KY to A.B. And Helen Tennell Eargood. He attended Swanee Military Academy (Class of ‘52), enlisted in the Army & attended the US Army Armor School where he became a tank gunnery instructor, the University of the South, and the University of Kentucky.

It was at UK where he became reacquainted with the soon-to-be love of his life, Leslie Neel. However, it wasn’t until after traveling the western US as a surveyor and declining an offer to relocate to Venezuela that he returned to Lexington to begin the love story of “Bud and Les” which would span more than 65 years. They were married on August 30, 1958.

After living in Lexington for a while they moved back to Henderson, KY where they would live out their days. Bud went to work for his father at AB Eargood & Son Oil Distributor servicing DX’s Sun Oil District. Later Bud would take over the business and spend 30 years running it while also owning numerous Sunoco gas stations, a car wash, and dozens of rental properties. In 1986 he changed professions and spent the next 37 years being a Transportation Consultant for PB&S Chemical/Brenntag. He retired the day before he turned 91.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Leslie Neel Eargood. He is survived by his favorite Boxer Sam; daughter Elaine (David) of Knoxville, TN; son John Neel; his granddaughter Rachel of Knoxville, and three step grandchildren: Mandy of Covington, KY, Eric of Indianapolis and Matt (Katherine) of Madrid, Spain; his sister Helene “Teed” (Don) Hunter, niece Helene (Brandon), & great nephew Hunter, all of Evansville, IN.

Dad loved to reminisce and tell stories of his life. He was a talker to be certain! He especially loved to talk about the friends that he & Mom would get together with and have parties or play cards. Those were always some of his most special memories. He was a lifelong learner, teaching himself how to refinish and repair antiques, remodel his house, build model ships, becoming a Master Gardner in his 80’s, even playing the stock market, and whatever he wasn’t sure how to do he would order a book to learn about it. His was a unique life of love and achievement, and he will be sorely missed.

The family would once again offer our most sincere thanks to the staff of St Anthony’s Hospice for their amazing and compassionate care over the last few weeks. Expressions of sympathy may be made as donations to either St. Anthony’s Hospice or The Sewanee Fund at the University of the South.

Visitation will be held at Tomlinson Funeral Home in Henderson on Monday, April 15, 2024, from 4 - 6 pm. Burial will be Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 10:00 am in Fairmont Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at tomblinsonfuneralhome.com.