Carson Douglas Culbreth

Carson Douglas Culbreth, 80, of Raleigh went to meet his Lord and Savior in his home on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2022, the disease remained in remission until April of this year and then progressed rapidly.

Born on July 1, 1944, Doug was preceded in death by his parents Carson Clinton Culbreth of Fayetteville and Ava Culbreth Reaves of Raleigh. In addition, his son-in-law, Daniel Cameron Wagoner, of Burlington, preceded Doug in death.

Doug grew up in Fayetteville, attended Wake Forest University where he was a member of the Kappa Sig Fraternity, and graduated from Campbell College. Doug was always “a people person”. He genuinely cared for his friends from Atlantic Beach to the DC area, from New York to Seattle and all his high school and college friends until his death.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Phyllis Jeffreys Culbreth, and his three beautiful daughters: Phyllis Devan Culbreth and husband Ronnie McDaniel of Raleigh, Lou Carson Culbreth of Raleigh and Dianna Douglas Culbreth Wagoner of Burlington. In addition, he is survived by his “Little Brother” Kenneth Len Culbreth of Raleigh. Doug also leaves behind two wonderful grandchildren, Julie Rebecca Wagoner and Thomas Jeffreys Culbreth, and his faithful dog, Winston.

Doug retired from North Carolina State Government as Director of the Energy Division for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. While working in the Energy Division he served under four Governors, was Chairman of the National Energy Directors, was a member of the SECU Loan Review Committee and graduated from the UNC State Government Management School, as well as serving on numerous boards and committees. After his retirement from state government, Doug worked for numerous national labs. As a Federal Project Executive, he oversaw projects such as Guantanamo Bay, which at the time was the costliest project in the nation’s history. He retired from ORNL in April 2024.

Doug loved his friends but most of all he loved his family, which included Saturday night dinners at his home with family members and friends numbering in the teens. He loved having the Meredith Angel Christmas Parties and meetings at his home and talking to his neighbors. He loved the beach house, teaching his girls to ski, his boat, and talking to everyone he met. Doug never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Doug’s burial service will be held on Friday November 1, 2024, with interment at 11:00 a.m. at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612. All who wish to attend are invited.

A Celebration of Doug Culbreth’s Life will be held at 1:00 pm at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. Immediately following the service, the family invites everyone to join them in Hailey Hall to visit and enjoy refreshments.

Flowers will be graciously accepted as are donations to the Hayes Barton Baptist Church Broadcast Ministry in Carson Douglas Culbreth’s memory.