Obituary of Joseph Lee Culpepper

Joseph Lee “Joe” Culpepper, age 83, of Melbourne, Florida, passed from this life to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

He leaves behind his children Tom Culpepper and Becky Kelly; daughter-in-law Cheryl Culpepper, son-in-law John Kelly; grandchildren Ryan, Brandon and Blake Culpepper, Sara and Erin Kelly; his twin brother Jim Culpepper, sister Jennie Hall; sister-in-law Dot Culpepper, sister-in-law Nancy Casazza and brother-in-law Lou Casazza. He is predeceased by his wife of 51 years Carolyn Dennis and daughter Kerry.

Joe was a graduate of Miami Jackson High School in 1956 and, along with his twin brother Jim, began working for Eastern Airlines that same year, starting a 35-year career in the mail room and moving up to computer hardware systems. The brothers attended Allapattah Baptist Church where they met and married friends Carolyn Dennis and Dorothy “Dot” Schaare in a double wedding.

Joe and Carolyn raised their family in Miami where they enjoyed their church and serving the Lord. They spent many happy years traveling with friends and family, building a life and a close family. Joe and Carolyn relocated to Huntersville, North Carolina in 1993 where he retired from EDS in 1997, serving in their IT Department as a Mainframe Specialist. After the loss of Carolyn, Joe moved to Melbourne, Florida.

Joe enjoyed fishing, shrimping, playing softball and watching football. He was loving, generous, kind, and self-effacing. All who knew him agreed that he was one of the best men they had ever met who would go out of his way to help others. He was a dedicated father who, along with his wife, lovingly cared for his disabled daughter Kerry until her death. He found joy in spending time with his family, grandchildren and grand-dog Buster.

Affectionately known as “Papa Joe,” he was a beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Joe's memory.