Gene Norris Culpepper, 82, of East Grand Avenue in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas died Sunday May 31, 2015 at National Park Medical Center.

Mr. Culpepper was born October 6, 1932 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to John Harry and Wilma Eunice "Jane" Stuckey Culpepper, the youngest of five brothers. He attended Pine Bluff High School, going on to obtain his G.E.D. while serving the Navy during the Korean War as a Seaman, Commisaryman Striker (1950-1954) , where he also enjoyed boxing and basketball. He ultimately attended Henderson State University's Teachers College in Arkadelphia becoming a certified dental laboratory technician, opening his own dental laboratories in both Texas and Arkansas. Gene Culpepper also worked as an office products salesman in Houston, Texas and land lease agent in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was active in his community, taking Cub Scouts on camping trips, coaching church basketball, and teaching Royal Ambassadors (a Southern Baptist missions education organization for grade school boys). Gene was an avid football fan and enjoyed deer hunting, playing golf, family vacations and reunions, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He loved his wife, Mary Ethel Cummings, whom he met through his best friend-her brother, Gerald Cummings. Gene and Mary married on October 13, 1951 when both were just teenagers. Their union lasted until her death on October 9, 2013 a few days short of their 62nd anniversary. They raised three children and fostered several boys. Gene departed this world for heaven where we know both his wife and his Savior are with him.

Mr. Culpepper is survived by his brother, John Culpepper; three children, David (Mary Ellen) Culpepper of Carrollton, Texas, Kim (James ) McCall of Federal Point, Florida, and Regena (Scott) Nelson of Bryan, Texas; ten grandchildren (Elijah, Leah, Micah, Aubrey, Ben, Regan, Hannah, Rachel, Nathan, and Noah). Ten great grandchildren ( Moses, Eden, Elisha, Genevieve, Cassian, Seth, Halie, Kade, Aden, and Fenn) and many nieces and nephews. Gene also was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Versel, Bill and Aubrey.

Military funeral and burial services will be held at Center Grove United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Arkansas at 3:30 P.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2015 with Rev. Scott W. Culpepper officiating.

Pallbearers will be Donald Culpepper, Elijah Culpepper, Kenneth Culpepper, Micah Culpepper, Ben Fennen and Ben Wall. Honorary pallbearers include Larry Culpepper, Sam Hassen and Clifton Parker.