This tribute to Ross is being written after years of desperate prayers that this tragic day would never come. After blessing us with his entrance into this world on September 3, 1994, Ross Culpepper continued to bless his family and friends with his beautifully sensitive soul.
His quiet perceptiveness allowed him to observe and understand people more than anyone knew. He saw the spiritual realm as the true reality, and had little interest in platitudes. Ross was a gifted athlete and a wonderfully talented writer. He was brimming with creativity and had an appreciation of music and beauty. He loved adventure and the outdoors, spending many nights camping under the stars.
Ross longed for a life of happy simplicity, but had a very complex mind. Though his last several years were plagued with confusion along the dark and lonely road of deep depression, we will forever treasure the Spirit-filled fellowship, the sharing of heartfelt prayer, and the beautiful transformation that came with his genuine faith.
Ross fought valiantly against this formidable foe that has taken the lives of so many beautiful souls. We may never understand the inner turmoil that comes with anxiety and depression, but we pray that Ross’s journey will leave a legacy of honesty, compassion for the afflicted, a sacrifice of time for the downcast, the withholding of judgement, and the realization that hopeless hearts are often not able to reach out for help themselves.
Though our hearts are crushed with sorrow at the tragic loss of our beautiful son, brother, and friend - we cling to the hope of scripture that speaks of the seal of the Holy Spirit, and the promise that the Good Shepherd knows his sheep, allowing no one to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, O Lord.”
Ross was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, 136 Military Police Battalion. He is survived by his grieving family: mother, Laura; father, Robert; brothers, Brad and Graham; sisters, Claire, Kara and Kathryn; maternal grandparents, Orville and Donna Lind; paternal grandfather, Robert C. Culpepper, uncles Paul Lind and David, Paul and Richard Culpepper. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Frances Jean Culpepper, and his aunt, Diane Lind Short.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at Cason Monk-Metcalf. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 18, 2018, at Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches officiated by Pastor Gene Huntzinger and The Rev. Howard Castleberry. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Culpepper, Brad Culpepper, Graham Culpepper, Richard Culpepper, Payton Andrews, and Connor McCune.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to Capstone Treatment Center in Judsonia Arkansas, P.O. Box 8241, Searcy, AR 72145. These donations will go toward scholarships for young men who are serious suicide risks.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
