J.O. Culpepper

J.O. Culpepper, Jr., 76 of Vermilion, died Sunday, September 20, 2009 at his home following a longtime illness. He was born May 23, 1933 in Bowie County, Texas, moving to Vermilion in 1963 from Dallas, Texas. He served in the United States Air Force for 10 years and during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by the Ford Motor Company Lorain Assembly as a tug driver and welder, until retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Bloomberg Baptist Church in Texas and a lifetime member of AMVETS Post 22 in Vermilion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening, and was a Cleveland Indians fan. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Peggy (nee Roof) Culpepper; daughter, Sandra (companion Ken) Neely of Vermilion; son, Michael (Brenda) Culpepper of Vermilion; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lanelle Munger of Arlington, Maxine Kozyski of Elkton, MD, Dinah (Jim) Brown of Waxahachie, TX, Vickie (John) Guest of Dallas, TX, Martha Whatley of Dallas, TX and Betty Clemens of Sashse, TX; brothers, Jerry (Kandy) Culpepper, Rising Star, TX, Dennis (Carol) Culpepper of Plano, TX and Johnny (Karen) Culpepper of DeKalb, TX. He was preceded-in-death by his parents, John Oliver and Rheba (nee Lovelady) Culpepper, brother, Jimmy Culpepper, sister, Gloria Cook, and son-in-law, Don Neely. Friends may call on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion. Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Reverend Cliff Morris, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Military honors will be provided by the Vermilion Veterans Council. Memorial contributions are suggested to New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035.