John Culpepper Obituary

John William Culpepper

John was born October 30, 1967 in Montgomery County, Maryland, to Mabel Claire Bondurant Culpepper and James William Culpepper. His father James "Jim" worked for the Atomic Energy Commission (later D.O.E.) in Maryland and Washington D.C. and, later, in Albuquerque, NM. John lived with his parents for many years until he moved into a family supported living situation, and later an ARCA group home.

John lived in Rockville, MD, from his birth until 1973, when his family moved to Damascus, MD. John lived in Damascus until 1988 when he and his parents moved to Albuquerque, NM. John attended primary schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, where he participated in scouts, church activities (including mission work in South America and Italy), soccer, high school cross country and family life. John's childhood was filled with an abiding love of trains, family pets, researching social science topics, reading, building with Lego, art, and family travel. John graduated from High School at St. Johns at Prospect Hall, in Frederick, Maryland in 1986. Thereafter he studied at Montgomery College in Germantown, Maryland, and, later, at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. John volunteered at the public library and worked for a long period of time at Smiths, he also served as a document imaging clerk at Adelante Inc.

John was dearly loved by his entire family, including his grandparents Mabel L. Hardy Bondurant Leslie, Clarke E. Leslie, J.R. Bondurant, Juanita Luster Culpepper, William S. Culpepper, his mother and father Jim and Mabel Culpepper, his siblings Julie Roberson and Kevin Roberson, Jeff Culpepper and Sue Culpepper, his many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, Caitlin Schreiner, JP Schreiner, Jonny Schreiner, Teddy Schreiner, Audrey Blanco, Dorian Blanco, Teagan Blanco, Taylor Blanco, Warren Roberson, Cynthia Roberson, Mario Dailey, Sofia Dailey, Jozef Roberson, Myriam Roberson, Ian Roberson, Emily Roberson, Dean Roberson, Tess Fike, Tyler Fike, Tilly Fike, and Jamie Culpepper. John will also be missed by his Aunt Jane Vemer and Uncle George Vemer, his cousins Mark Vemer, Deborah Vemer and Hardy Dale Vemer. John was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother Mabel Culpepper.

John's childhood and young adulthood was a happy time. He enjoyed his family, travel, learning, trains, art, and a lively, off-center sense of humor. John wrestled with a disability of autism throughout his life, which, as an adult, made daily living increasingly difficult and frustrating for him. He persevered through processing differences to obtain a driver's license, and John drove with assistance for several years. As an adult, he was supported by wonderful community service providers and therapists who encouraged John to achieve levels of independence, maintain employment and enjoy recreational activities. Into adulthood, John enjoyed board games, card games (playing for hours with his nieces and nephews), discussing animal species and their behaviors, walking dogs, volunteering at the animal shelter, watching "Great Courses" with his parents, drinking coffee, debating, visiting cultural sites and the zoo, and chatting on the phone with family members.

In his adult years, John lived with several family service providers. Each family provided the direction and kindness necessary to allow him to experience many of the unique facets of every-day life in Albuquerque. Most recently, John lived in an ARCA group home, where he continued to navigate towards independence with the assistance of the amazing staff. Before residing in the group home, for nearly a decade, John enjoyed the support and encouragement of the wonderful Saul family. The Saul's opened their home to John and to our family. They facilitated his attendance at a local gym and encouraged him to take walks in the foothills, participate in their large family gatherings, access local coffee shops and eat at local restaurants. Their unwavering understanding, spiritual generosity and respect towards John will always serve as a hallmark for true human compassion.

John was a highly intelligent man, and although autism prevented his understanding of many situations, he had an amazing memory for facts, historic events and the evolution of man. He had a loving and caring soul, which he possessed throughout his life. For those who knew him, his individuality was appreciated, and his character and beliefs respected and honored. He debated with ferocity and always had facts and information to bring popular trends, theories and political maneuverings under scrutiny.

John moved through life honestly and directly. Although those who knew him, and those in John's family, will tell you that he had a unique and sometimes even difficult personality, they will also tell you that he was special to them. John was beloved, appreciated and respected by many. He was true to himself and always stood up for what he believed.

John passed away January 23, 2025. It is a comfort to all who loved John, to know that a loving and merciful God has unburdened him, has freed him from his earthly limitations, and has reunited him with his loving mother.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, FRENCH-Lomas Chapel at 2:00 pm. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, Hope Church 4710 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87111 at 11:00 am with a private burial to follow.