Jimmy Haywood Culp's Obituary
Jimmy Haywood Culp, age 90, of Springdale, AR, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2024. He was born November 29, 1933, in Rowell, AR, a son of the late Michael Bryce Culp, Sr. and Mamie Goldie Shockley Culp. Also, preceding him in death was his spouse, Mary Ellen Griffin Culp; a son, Barry Phillip Culp; his siblings, William Culp, Bobby Culp, Marjorie Moore and Marth Nell Lindsey.
Jimmy was a graduate of Southern State at Magnolia, AR. While there, he led the AIC in football receiving yards and in basketball scoring during the 1953-1954 school year. He was first team in both football and basketball. Add to this he lettered in three sports, track, basketball, and football and led Southern State to an NAIA District championship his senior year.
Following graduation, he coached both football and basketball at Bald Knob where he took what had been an almost dormant basketball program to their first ever state tournament. While coaching at Searcy, he won the 3A district football championship in his second season. And while head basketball coach at North Little Rock he led his team to three conference titles and a state championship in three years. As a basketball head coach his career record was 162-36.
Taking up body building later in life, at age 55 he finished second in the 40 and over division of the Mr. America contest in Chicago in 1989. Also, at age 55 he set Arkansas Senior Olympics records in the 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes.
He was the first inductee in the White Hall High School Hall of Fame, was elected in Southern Arkansas University’s Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Survivors are his children, Jimmy Culp, Jr (Cheryl), David Culp (Betty), Greg Culp (Carla), Suzanne Baird (Steve); a brother, Michael Bryce Culp, Jr (Patsy); and a brother-in-law, Rodney Griffin (Rosemary); ten grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, November 1, at Nelson Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, at Nelson Berna Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens
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