John F. Culpepper Sr.1,2

Male, #45089, (27 Aug 1925 - 22 Nov 2004)

Father*Benjamin Franklin Culpepper Jr. (20 Oct 1892 - 24 Feb 1970)
Mother*Bessie May Dowdy (c 1906 - )
John F. Culpepper Sr.|b. 27 Aug 1925\nd. 22 Nov 2004|p45089.htm|Benjamin Franklin Culpepper Jr.|b. 20 Oct 1892\nd. 24 Feb 1970|p45595.htm|Bessie May Dowdy|b. circa 1906|p45084.htm|Benjamin F. Culpepper|b. Feb 1859\nd. 9 Aug 1929|p479.htm|Mary R. Jarvis|b. 13 Jan 1865\nd. 9 Jul 1942|p594.htm|||||||

Birth*27 Aug 1925 He was born on 27 Aug 1925 at Norfolk Co., Virginia.1,2 
 He was the son of Benjamin Franklin Culpepper Jr. and Bessie May Dowdy. 
1930 Census1 Apr 1930 John and James was listed as a son in Benjamin Franklin Culpepper Jr.'s household on the 1930 Census at Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Virginia.3 
World War II*between 1943 and 1945 He served in World War II between 1943 and 1945.2 
Korean War*between 1950 and 1952 He served in the Korean War between 1950 and 1952.2 
Death*22 Nov 2004 He died at Newport News (city), Virginia, on 22 Nov 2004.2 
Obituary*25 Nov 2004 John F. Culpepper Sr., 79, of the 100 block of Cromwell Parkway in Norfolk, passed away at his son's home in Newport News on Nov. 22, 2004. He was born in 1925 in Norfolk County, Va., to the late Benjamin F. Culpepper and Bessie (Culpepper) Hill of Carteret County, N.C.
     He was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Thomas Culpepper; and his brothers, James and Raymond Earl Culpepper.
     He is survived by his loving wife of 48 1/2 years, Ann Culpepper of Norfolk; a devoted and loving son, John "Buddy" F. Culpepper Jr., Carolyn Walker (whom he thought of as his daughter-in-law) of Newport News and her sons Kevin, Shawn and Robert Walker; a sister, Iris Morton; nephew, Manly Earl Morton Jr. his wife Donna and their children; half sisters, Rossie Lee and Mildred Cannon and her three children, all of Carteret County, N.C; a nephew, David Morton, his wife Dawn and their children of Onslow, N.C; the Setzer family, Albert, Carl, Herbert, Preston, Elizabeth, Marie, June Faye, Robert (deceased) and their children, whom he always loved and thought of as family.
     As a youth, he worked many jobs with his father, in the 1930s and 40s, he worked in tobacco fields and even helped lay down the foundation for Fisherman's Road in Norfolk with sand hauled away from the Ocean View sand dunes for 25 cents a day. He was one of the original three taxi drivers that would eventually become known as Norview Cabs.
     During World War II, he was part of the 202 MP Division under General Mark Clark. He was one of a hand picked group of the military police that escorted the General while in Germany and Austria. During that time, he was able to meet many world dignitaries, such as Charles de Gaulle, kings and queens and the Pope. One of his assignments was to guard the train carrying "The Royal Lipizzan Stallions" while en-route through Germany at the wars end, protecting it from the Germans.
     During the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty and was awarded the Bronze Star for saving his men. Recognizing that his troops were about to be ambushed by the North Koreans, he was able get everyone to safety until reinforcements could arrive.
     After the war, he went on to drive for the Virginia Transit Company and while driving his bus route would eventually meet his future bride and loving wife, Ann. He also worked for Chartered Bus Service and Bessie and Console.
     When it came to sports, he was an avid duckpin bowler, winning many awards and had opportunities to turn pro but did not because his family was more important. Any one who bowled with him in Norfolk and at the old Fair Lanes Military knew how competitive he was. His favorite sports teams were the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Redskins. When it came to NASCAR, his favorite was Ricky Rudd - to him he was the only driver. But it seemed what he enjoyed the most was watching his son bowl and play baseball. He enjoyed Hershey candy bars and life.
     Even though the last years were tough, he enjoyed spending every moment he could with his wife, visiting her at the nursing home no matter how bad he felt. He loved his wife very much and it showed when they were together. After all these years, the twinkle was still in their eyes. The trips to North Carolina to see his sisters always filled him with joy. When he attended his son's graduation from the Fire Academy for Norfolk Fire-Rescue, he said, "This was one of the proudest moments I ever had, handing my son his badge." He said he was even prouder when his son just recently became a paramedic. He will always be remembered for his wisdom, strength, love and knowledge of history. He was always friendly and said hello to just about everyone.
     We love you and miss you, but we know you feel better now in heaven and you are happy to be with your mom, dad, brothers and your son, Andy. Thank you for everyday you were with us. We love you, your Family.
     A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norfolk Chapel. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, send memorial donations to the family, 558 Crown Point Drive, Newport News, VA 23602.2 
Burial*27 Nov 2004 His body was interred on 27 Nov 2004 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk (city), Virginia.2 

Family

Ann (?) (living)
Children

Charts Descendants of Benjamin Franklin Culpepper of Pamlico Co., NC
Last Edited 18 Oct 2008

Citations

  1. 1930 Federal Census, United States.
  2. Virginian-Pilot/Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA.
    http://www.pilotonline.com
    Obituary of John F. Culpepper, Sr. of Norfolk, 25 Nov 2004.
  3. 1930 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 77-4, Sheet 14A (page 212A) Lines 27-30, Kempsville DIstrict, Princess Anne Co., VA.