Ben Culpepper

Ben Culpepper (June 30, 1942 – May 19, 2014)

Quillon Benton “Ben” Culpepper, Jr., 71, a lifelong resident of Orange, Texas, died Monday, May 19, 2014 in Houston, Texas after a short illness. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, as well as a civic, community and church leader, and he will be greatly missed.
Ben was born on June 30, 1942 in Orange, Texas to Naomi Claire Leonard Culpepper and Quillon Benton (Q.B.) Culpepper, Sr. A 1960 graduate of Stark High School in Orange, he attended Baylor University where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in Sociology and Economics. Ben was a veteran of the Army Reserves, in which he served for six years after college.
On August 22, 1964, Ben married Gloria Pat Barnett, daughter of Patsy and A.C. Barnett of Orange, at the First Baptist Church of Orange. Ben and Gloria enjoyed a long and happy marriage together and would have celebrated their Golden Anniversary in August 2014.
Ben is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gloria Culpepper. He is also survived by his four children: Elizabeth Claire Culpepper Turley and her husband, Lee Turley; Christopher Benton Culpepper; Rebecca Susan Culpepper Arnold and her husband, Chris Arnold; and Andrew Barnett Culpepper. He was blessed with three grandchildren: Jillian Claire Turley, Judson Drew Turley, and Lauren Elise Arnold, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Claire Culpepper Johnson, and her husband, Roy Jack Johnson, of Georgetown, Texas; his niece, Claire Diane Broadway; his nephew, Roy David Johnson; and the children of Diane Broadway and David Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Naomi and Q.B. Culpepper.
Ben was a man of God, follower of Jesus Christ, and faithful Christian servant. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Orange, Texas, where he served as a Deacon and Church Trustee and was a longtime member of the Adult Choir. He also served as Church Training Director and had recently been named as Church Treasurer. He previously served at FBC-Orange as 8th Grade Boys Sunday School teacher, 9th Grade Youth Director, and the Director of the Adult Connection Group known as the Faithful Servants. He was a member of the Church Personnel Committee on multiple occasions.
Active in his community, Ben served three terms as a councilmember of the City of Orange City Council and was Mayor Pro Tem for several years while he held office. At the time of his death, he was serving as the President of the Orange Economic Development Corporation, an entity that he helped to form for the benefit of the city while serving as a councilmember and to which he was named as an original board member.
Ben was a longtime member and leader of the Kiwanis Club of Orange, Texas, most currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer. In 1988-89, he served as a Distinguished Lt. Governor of the Texas/Oklahoma Kiwanis organization, and he served on multiple occasions as a Distinguished Club President and Club Secretary. He was a Certified Leadership Trainer for Kiwanis and a two-time Texas/Oklahoma Foundation Trustee for the Kiwanis organization. In the past, he worked with local youth through the Kiwanis Key Club organization in high schools, where he served as activity sponsor. Ben was previously honored by Kiwanis International with the C.T. Bush Award, and he was also a prior recipient of the George Hixson Award.
Ben owned and operated Barnett-Culpepper Insurance, where he worked as an insurance agent for nearly four decades before selling the agency to an associate. Although he reduced his workload, he continued to work with clients in life and health insurance matters through the Ben Culpepper Insurance Agency, and he would go to his office daily to handle client files as well as Kiwanis, EDC and Church matters as part of his ongoing role as a leader in the community. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his gardens, where he grew all types of fruits and vegetables. He would often distribute fresh produce to friends and colleagues at church and around town.
Ben leaves a legacy of faith, family, and community service. He was a role model to others, exhibiting a quiet leadership in which he led by example. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. Funeral services will be Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the new location of the First Baptist Church of Orange, Texas on MLK Drive in Orange, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Orange, Texas, P.O. Box 1453, Orange, Texas 77631.