Judge George B. Culpepper III

George B. Culpepper, III, retired Superior Court Judge, died Saturday morning, November 29, 2014. Judge Culpepper was born on December 26, 1920 in Fort Valley, Georgia. He attended Fort Valley High School and Mars Hill College and graduated from the Mercer University School of Law in the class of 1943. While at Mercer he served as president of the student body and was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was the son of the late George B. Culpepper, Jr. and Mary Adams Culpepper of Fort Valley. Judge Culpepper was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lillian Culpepper Harris.

On the same day that he completed law school he enlisted in the United States Navy. He later attended Officer Candidate School at Columbia University and served as a Navy Lieutenant during World War II. He served primarily in the South Pacific during the war. He remained in the United States Navy Reserve following the war and later retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

While at Mercer he met his wife, Alice Wright. They were married on October 23, 1943 and celebrated their 71st anniversary this year.

Following the war, he joined his father, George B. Culpepper, Jr. in the practice of law in Fort Valley. He practiced law twenty years before being appointed to the office of Judge of Superior Court, Macon Judicial Circuit in 1967. He served as an active Superior Court Judge until becoming Senior Judge on January 1, 1983. During his service as Senior Superior Court Judge he held court in many counties in the State of Georgia.

He was a lifelong member of Fort Valley United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served on almost every committee and board over the years. He was a former member of the Exchange Club of Macon, and the Fort Valley, and Golden K Kiwanis Clubs.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Wright Culpepper; four children, Bryant Culpepper and his wife, Donna of Fort Valley, Lewis C. Culpepper and his wife, Maelu of Albany, Rev. Wright Culpepper and his wife, Ann of St. Simons, and Michele Meyer and her husband, Reid of Newnan; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Following retirement, he and his wife, Alice moved to Carlyle Place in Macon.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday in the Fort Valley United Methodist Church. Burial will be private for family only in Oaklawn Cemetery in Fort Valley. Rev. Jim Hamlin, and Rev. Wright Culpepper will officiate. The family will greet friends from 4 until 6 PM Monday in “The Grande” of Carlyle Place. Those who wish may make donations to the charity of their choice.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.