Johnnie Culpepper Bundy was born to Charles and Ludie Ann (nee Haskett) Bundy on April 23, 1921 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; he was one of nine children. As most of us know, Ted was born at the Elizabeth Lund Home for Unwed Mothers in Burlington, Vermont. He was illegitimate and Louise kept Ted’s paternal lineage a secret: listed as the Father on Ted’s birth certificate is Lloyd Marshall, an Air Force vet and salesman (this most likely isn’t true). Maybe it’s as simple as she didn’t know who Teds father was? Louise Cowell met Johnnie Culpepper Bundy (a hospital cook) in 1951 when they attended an adult singles night at the First Methodist Church in Tacoma, Washington. The couple were wed later that year on May 19, making little Teddy obtain his infamous third last name (after Cowell and Nelson). The couple had 4 more children: Glenn, Richard, Sandra, and Linda.

Johnnie and his new stepson had a very strained relationship: Ted resented his stepdad because he wasn’t educated enough, didn’t have a prestigious job, and didn’t make a lot of money (especially when comparing him to his Great Uncle). Jack Cowell taught piano lessons and was a music professor at the University of Puget Sound. He was everything Ted wanted to be: educated, financially stable, and well-respected in the community. As an adolescent, on occasion Ted would intentionally provoke Johnnie until a physical altercation took place: more than once Louise had to step in and act as a mediator the two. Despite Teds reluctance, Johnnie always stuck by his side and supported him right up to the end. 

When Utah law enforcement arrested Ted for the kidnapping of Carol DaRonch in 1975, Johnnie helped raise the $15,000 needed for bail. He also flew with Louise to Salt Lake City to support Ted during his trial. Following their sons execution in January 1989, the Bundy’s continued to live in Tacoma. However, they purposefully avoided the limelight and tried their hardest to fade into the background. The Bundy’s were active members of Tacoma’s First United Methodist Church and stayed in the area until their deaths. Louise passed away on December 23, 2012 at the age of 88 and Mr. Bundy died at 86 on May 17, 2007.