James Valentine Culbertson, age 79, went to be with Lord on February 13, 2019. Jim was born February 17, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, son to Kenneth Sr. and Margaret D. Being born three days after Valentine’s Day and passing just a day before Valentine’s Day was befitting a man who was surrounded by Love. Jim lived the past 25 years in Buena Vista, Colorado after raising his family in Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fauquier County, Virginia.
Jim ‘Willie’ as he was affectionately called (due to his likeness to Willie Nelson) had a servant’s heart. He was a founding member and past president of the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity. Jim loved bluegrass music and also served as a board member and past president of the Walden Chamber Music Association.
He was a board member for the Central Colorado Conservancy, and also volunteered with the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission. He was a BSA Scoutmaster for many years, and he contributed to many other causes. He was devoted to the preservation of wildlife and nature, and proud of his military service in the US Army.
Jim put his energy, heart and soul into everything he did, including construction, being a head baker, a log cabin builder, and finally in his dream job of working the past 25 years as a caretaker for the Butler family ranch in Buena Vista. A student of philosophy, religion, and staunch supporter of the Constitution, Jim exemplified the ideals of giving more than you receive, the value of hard work, and having integrity in everything he did. Jim’s spirit of kindness, his smile and sparkle in his eyes was felt by everyone who knew him.
His Children and Family miss him and Love him deeply and will always try to live up to his spirit as he is “on the road again…” Preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth Jr., Jim is survived by his brothers, Richard Culbertson and Robert Culbertson, and his sisters Joy Rossell and Judi Starks, his daughter Kimberli Saunders and husband Tom, his son Kevin Culbertson and wife Renee, his granddaughter Lauren Anne Culbertson, his grandson Daron Lee Culbertson and wife Danielle, his great-granddaughter Lavender Ruth, and many nieces and nephews including, Melissa Williams, Teresa Culbertson-Bush, Linda Ratliff, Mike Culbertson, and Kacie Starks. Jim graduated with the Class of 1957 from Hollidaysburg Senior High School, Pennsylvania; he attended Maryville College, Tennessee; and he served three years in the US Army at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
A ceremony celebrating Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2019, 4:30 PM at Soul Purpose Community Church, 12698 Shipps Store Road, Bealeton, Virginia. A Memorial Facebook page ‘James Valentine Culbertson – a celebration of his life’ is available. Donations in his honor can be made to any of the local causes that Jim supported, or to the Dementia Society of America.
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