Howard Culbreth

Howard Cranford Culbreth of Idaho Falls passed away April 23,2013, in his home. He was born November 8, 1920, in Aberdeen, North Carolina, to Rev. Cornelius Blackman Culbreth and Georgia Slough Culbreth. Howard graduated from high school in Sanford, North Carolina, and from Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. Immediately after graduation in 1942, he joined the U. S. Navy and began his training as a Navy pilot at Dallas, Texas, and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida. He joined VP-16, a PBM Squadron, and served in the Mariannas, at Siapan, Tiawan, Guam, and the Palau Islands, where they did all night anti-submarine flights. After World War II he served as a carrier a flight deck officer and in Squadron VR-24 in Europe at Port Lyauty French Morocco. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He retired from the Navy in 1964 and returned to Hawaii where he was employed in the safety division of Dillingham Corporation for twenty years. He married Florine Ray of Elon, North Carolina in 1943. They were blessed with four children, Catherine, Howard II, Robert and Steven. As a family, sports, camping and exploring new duty stations from Midway to Morocco proved educational, interesting and exciting. His favorite hobby was golf. He won many tournaments, made custom clubs, served as a teaching pro and played over 85 years. He was faithful to the church his father ministered, The Methodist Church, and belonged to Trinity United Methodist Church in Idaho Falls. Howard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Florine Ray Culbreth, Son, Steven Culbreth of Kailua, HI; Grand daughter, Alexa Kulia (Brent) Two great grandsons, Miles and Wyatt of Cheyenne, WY; Sister, Virginia Culbreth McLean of New Orleans, LA; Sister, Helen Culbreth Dietze of New York City, NY; Six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dr. George Culbreth of Charlotte, North Carolina, an infant daughter, Cathy, and two sons, Howard II of Las Vegas Nevada, and Robert of Grangeville, Idaho. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 N. Water, with Reverend Brenda Sene officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. A light luncheon will follow the services in the parlor. Interment will be at a later date at Punchbowl of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Memorial Services -- Tuesday

Tuesday April 30, 2013 , 11:00 - a.m. at Trinity United Methodist

Visitation: 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church

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