Gerald "Jerry" Staton Culver Sr.

Gerald “Jerry” Staton Culver, Sr., Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired), passed away peacefully at home on November 12th, 2021. Jerry was born February 6th, 1929, in Austin, Texas to parents Chester and Anna Culver. After Chester died, stepfather Omega helped Anna raise Jerry and his brother Joe. Omega, or Megadaddy as he was known, greatly influenced Jerry and Joe’s path from childhood to adulthood.

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1947, Jerry attended the University of Texas where he majored in Industrial Management. Jerry won the University of Texas wrestling championship in 1948 as a freshman, defeating Alan Bean, future astronaut and the 4th man to walk on the moon. After graduating college in 1951, Jerry joined the U.S. Navy and went on to serve in the Korean war aboard the USS Consolation, a ship that received 10 Battle Stars during that conflict.

After Jerry came back from Korea, he moved to Houston, TX, and began to work at Foley’s. There at Foley’s downtown, he met the love of his life, Esther Katherine Davis, and the two soon married. They built a house in west Houston and raised two children, while Jerry worked as a sales rep for Lederle Laboratories for nearly 35 years before retiring in 1992.

With the kids grown up, Jerry and Esther moved to Brenham, TX where they lived on seven acres outside of town, with their sidekick Bubba, their big black Labrador Retriever. Jer and Es also enjoyed spending their summers since 1977 in Lake City, CO, where the remaining family members enjoy visiting to this day.

Jerry is lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Esther Culver, and his children Holly Stephens (Tim), and Staton Culver; grandchildren Kindall Shannon (Blair), Taylor Bodeker (Ross), Canon Culver, Campbell Culver, and great-grandchild Connor, all of whom affectionately referred to him as Papaw. Jerry was a devout Christian, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, and mentor to so many people and he will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him. A proud veteran always, Jerry wore his Korea Veteran hat up until the day he died.

A celebration of life will be held on December 17th at 11 am in the Chapel at Grace Presbyterian Church (10221 Ella Lee Ln, Houston, TX 77042).