It’s with a heavy heart that the Culbertson family shares the recent passing of our Dad, Father-in-law, and Granddad; Rodney Ross Culbertson. Rodney died on Thursday, June 14, 2018; from complications to health issue for which he could not recover.
He is survived by his three adult children; Robert Ross Culbertson with wife Jenny Culbertson, Laura Kay Culbertson, and Paul Alan Culbertson with wife Karie Culbertson, and three grandchildren; Claire Culbertson, Caroline Culbertson, and Caleb Culbertson.
Although his children established their lives throughout Texas and out of state...San Antonio has always been home base where Rodney lived to the fullest and gave back to his community in numerous ways. Rodney was born in Seymour, Wisconsin on January 19, 1950. His parents Ira and Marilynn Culbertson moved from Wisconsin to the Valley Area of South Texas and eventually settled in Southeast San Antonio. Rodney graduated from Highlands High School in 1968 and was enrolled in Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University/San Marcos, TX) and met his wife Deborah Kay Doolittle (now divorced). Their love was tested as Rodney was drafted in to the end years of the Vietnam War. Upon a short tour of duty full of training, missions, and logistical coordination, Rodney returned to the San Antonio area was married in 1972 and started in a music degree program at Texas Tech University. However, another call of duty came into his life - that of a dad, to which set him on a path of becoming a working man to provide for his family. His family grew from 1974-1980 with three children and included the quintessential American activities of barbecue's, camping, and spiritual growth in local southern baptist churches. However another test came when his marriage ended and Rodney had to lean on his faith and friends to find purpose and meaning. He settled into a solid career path as a civil servant with the Defense Finance Accounting at Fort Sam Houston Army Post and kept his root deep in his childhood area of Southeast San Antonio becoming a leader in the local Lion's Club chapter and enjoyed serving local residents and exhibiting pride for his community within the San Antonio Fiesta Parades. Rodney leaves a void in may lives that he touched along the way. He was a sweet spirit, showed compassion to all and lifted others up in their own trails. He taught us all the value of strong work ethic, serving others, biblical faith...and having a beer along the way. Let us all lift up a prayer of remembrance and pass on the best of his qualities.
For those interested in celebrating Rodney’s life and many accomplishments, a memorial service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home - at the corner of Eisenhauer Road and Austin Highway in San Antonio, TX on Tuesday, June 19 @ 12:00 pm. Future internment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where his parents lie in rest.
All are welcome to come to express their love and friendship to a sweet man. Thank you for continued prayers and messages to Rodney and his family. We are both grieving and celebrating as Christians...we know he is walking with his Savior.