Jud Strunk (June 11, 1936 - October 5, 1981) was an American singer, songwriter, and comedian. Born Justin Strunk, Jr. in Jamestown, New York, he was raised in Buffalo, New York where as a small boy his showmanship became evident. After he learned to play the banjo, Strunk began entertaining locals and went on to wide recognition after appearances on national television network shows such as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1973, he wrote and recorded the song "Daisy A Day" that made it into Billboard's Top Twenty on both the country and pop music charts. He had three more humorous songs that made it into the country music charts and toured with the Andy Williams Road Show.
Jud Strunk became a folk hero of sorts in Maine and in 1970 he narrowly lost the election for a Senate seat in the State legislature. Jud was also a private pilot and purchased a 1941 Fairchild M62-A. Unfortunately, on October 5, 1981, he suffered a heart attack while taking off in the aircraft at the Carrabassett Valley Airport in Maine and was killed instantly along with his passenger. He was 45 years old.
