Rev. Dr. James W. Culp, Sr., of Royse City, since 1985, passed away July 22, 2018, at the age of 86. He was born June 3, 1932, in Pineville, North Carolina, to Richard Sylvester Culp and Mary Edna (Short) Culp. Dr. Culp proudly served his country as a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and received the distinguished Bronze Star for his efforts during the Vietnam War. He was the founding pastor of Second Chapel Baptist Church in Garland.
He served faithfully as the Coordinator of Black Church Development for the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). He was also honored to serve as the first African American city councilman for the city of Garland.
Dr. Culp is survived by his children: Terryl Bratek, Rae Culp, Mariann Douglas and husband Fernon, James W. Culp, Jr., Deidra Culp, Michelle Culp and John Culp and wife Keisha; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brother: John J. Culp and wife Betty; sister: Edna Culp Washington; and sisters-in-law: Carrie Young and husband John, Naomi Cunningham, Osie Culp, Luvenia Smith and Susie Portlock.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years: Mary Lou Culp, who passed away July 8, 2015; his parents; and siblings: Richard Culp, Emma Washington, David Culp, Carrie Broome, George Culp, Fred Culp, Israel Culp and Monroe Culp.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, at Singing Hills Baptist Church, 6550 University Hills Boulevard, Dallas, 75241. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, 75211. A gathering for friends and family will be held Thursday evening at Second Chapel Baptist Church, 1409 Dairy Road in Garland, from 6 to 8 p.m.