Claude Howard Culp, born November 26, 1929, in Gainesville, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, at his home at Bullard Chapel. His life was a tapestry woven with hard work, kindness, and dedication to family and community—a legacy that will forever endure in the hearts of those who knew him.

Claude’s journey began in Bakersfield, California, where he graduated from high school and earning a degree as a diesel mechanic at the age of seventeen. His career was varied and meaningful; he delivered groceries at Smith and White Groceries in Tishomingo—both perishable and staple food items—with care, offered invaluable assistance at the local food bank, and contributed his skills at Hickory King Trailers in Tishomingo. Yet for the majority of his life, Claude devoted himself to being a dairy farmer, a calling that connected him deeply to the land and the rhythms of rural life.

His days were often marked by simple joys and diligent labor—feeding cattle, baling hay, and riding horses in parades as a proud member of the Johnston County Riding Club. Remarkably, he continued to bale hay up until the year before his passing, embodying a steadfast spirit and an enduring devotion to the farm he so lovingly tended. Claude also found fulfillment in building community spaces, like the bleachers at the old T-Pee Arena, and constructing numerous dairy barns throughout the area, contributions that will stand as a testament to his skill and generosity.

Everyone who met Claude loved him. He was a man who would help anyone with anything and was known for his boundless generosity, famously willing to give the shirt off his back to someone in need. This unselfish nature endeared him to friends and neighbors alike and reflected the warmth and bigheartedness with which he lived his life.

Claude’s proudest accomplishments were not measured in tangible achievements alone, but in the family he cherished so deeply. Surviving him are his sons, Howard Culp and wife, Lita of Tishomingo; Harvey Culp and his wife Linda of Milburn; his daughter, Linda Duke and her husband, Troy of Dickson; and his stepsons, Kip Rushing and wife Ethel of Peggs, along with Stacey Rushing and wife Claudia of Broken Arrow. His family circle extends with nephews Jimmy and Mike, twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild—a vibrant lineage that fills the legacy Claude leaves behind with love and life.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Capps; his second wife, Wyvonnia Sliger; his brother Jimmy Culp; his daughter Lanette Culp; and his great-grandson Bralynn Culp. Though they have passed on, the memory of Claude’s love and devotion continues through the family that remains, tied together with the threads of shared history and enduring affection.

A graveside service to honor Claude Howard Culp will be held on March 30, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m. and concluding at noon at Condon Grove Cemetery, located on Sh 78 in Milburn, Oklahoma. It will be a gathering for all who wish to celebrate a life rich with purpose, integrity, and the kind of love that spans generations.

Honorary Pallbearers are James Culp, Claude Lee Culp, Shawn Duke, Jace Alford, Tom Winkler and John Judd

Claude’s story is one of a man whose hands shaped barns and whose heart shaped lives. In him, we remember a friend, a family patriarch, a farmer, and a man whose kindness touched countless souls. As we say goodbye, we carry forward the lessons of compassion, resilience, and generosity that defined his remarkable journey.