John Evans Culp, 90, passed away on April 14, 2023, in his home in Brownsboro, Alabama, surrounded by his family. John was born in Clanton, Alabama, and he found quick success as a star athlete at Isabella High School and he met his future wife, Joyce there. After graduating from Isabella in 1951, John joined the Army for a couple of years where he was sent to communications training, which aided him in his future career. After the Army he worked his way through college as a disc jockey at a couple of radio stations near Auburn. He graduated from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), majoring in Agricultural Education, in 1957. John and Joyce were avid Auburn fans and spent many hours supporting their tigers. An excellent communicator and writer, he traveled across the United States and Central America teaching developing communities about water and land conservation, John continued using his exceptional communication skills across a 30-year career with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
John, or Pappa, as he was called by his grandchildren, loved fiercely and proudly, displaying his dedication to his loved ones through his generosity. As a long-time citizen of Florence, Alabama, he collected memories on the golf course with his friends at Florence and then Turtle Point Country Club, teaching Sunday school at Edgemont United Methodist Church, and in frequent, competitive canasta games with his family. He always cherished the people and relationships around him the most, as evidenced by the countless family and friends whom he loved. Married to his high school sweetheart, John was a devoted husband to Joyce for 70 years. A man of so many words and so much meaning to others, he would want to be remembered by the work he did to protect our world, his fellowship in Christ, and the love he shared with those around him.
John’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and playing golf. These two joy’s came together with Joyce and his daughters, Kay and Johndra, all enjoying golf. As Johndra became a competive golfer, John was thrilled to follow Johndra in her journey through high school and college (at Auburn and LSU) to compete in many tournaments. John became a very good golfer and over his life had many golf accomplishments, including 6 holes-in-one. He and his golfing buddies enjoyed traveling together and playing many courses throughout the United States.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Winston and Mary Culp; brother, Harry Culp; and sister, Sue Thomas.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Culp; daughter, Kay Jacobson, and her husband, David, of Huntsville, Alabama; daughter, Johndra Culp, and her partner, Jill Richards, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; grandson, JD Jacobson, and wife, Nicole, of San Antonio, Texas; grandson, Ben Jacobson, and wife, Catherine, of Huntsville, Alabama; four great-grandchildren, Rawson and Elora Jacobson of Huntsville, Alabama; Cora and Hugo Jacobson of San Antonio, Texas; and sister, Judeen Ellison, and her husband, Harry, of Clanton, Alabama, and many other nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Huntsville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 6, at 11:00 AM. John will later be interred at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL in a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Edgemont United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.
