James W. Culp of Royse City, a pioneering leader of African-American work within the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died July 22. He was 86. Culp was born June 3, 1932, in Pineville, N.C., to Richard Sylvester Culp and Mary Edna Short Culp. Culp served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of technical sergeant and receiving the distinguished Bronze Star for his service during the Vietnam War. He was founding pastor of Second Chapel Baptist Church in Garland and the longtime coordinator of black church development for the BGCT. The African-American Fellowship of Texas named its annual banquet in his honor. Culp also was the first African-American to serve on the Garland City Council. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Culp in 2015, and by siblings Richard Culp, Emma Washington, David Culp, Carrie Broome, George Culp, Fred Culp, Israel Culp and Monroe Culp. He is survived by his children, Terryl Bratek, Rae Culp, Mariann Douglas, James W. Culp, Jr., Deidra Culp, Michelle Culp and John Culp; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, John J. Culp; and sister, Edna Culp Washington.
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