Rev. E. J. Culp

CULP, REV. E. J. Rev. E. J. Culp, 79 of Waco, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 8, 2005. A service celebrating his life will be held at 1:30pm Friday, February 11 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Dr. Paul Stripling and Rev. Van Vowell officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial North. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8pm Thursday, February 10 at the funeral home. E. J. was born January 26, 1926 in Snyder to Jeff and Lois Culp. He attended Roscoe Schools until he was drafted into the Army Air Force in World War II, where he served in Okinawa. Upon returning home he met and married Leta Joy Webb. They were married 57 years. He worked several years in the oil fields of West Texas. He also attended Hardin-Simmons University. He went to work at General Tire in 1958, and eventually retired from there. He served one term as the local union president. He became a Baptist Minister in 1960. He served as pastor for 16 years at Tokio Baptist Church, 15 years at Gateway Baptist Church in Waco, four years at Blue Ridge Baptist Church and as an interim pastor at Hallsburg Baptist Church. He also served his community by serving as President of the West ISD PTA and as a director of Bold Springs Water Supply Corporation. He was also director of the Waco Baptist Association Health Care Equipment Ministry for 20 years, earning a mention in the book Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul. He will be remembered as a man who loved his God, his family and all God’s children. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, J. B. Survivors include his wife Leta, daughter Evelyn Sasamoto and husband Kisaku; sons Larry Culp and wife Kathy, James Culp and wife Kathryn, and Lloyd Culp and wife Susan; brothers Shorty Culp, Robert Culp and Waymon Culp; grandchildren Jeff Culp, Sheila Culp, Lindsey Culp, Masaki Sasamoto, Yuri Sasamoto, Caitlin Culp, Mironda Culp, Clint West, Troy West, Zachary Culp and Chase Culp, five great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to American Alzheimer’s Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY