Benjamin J. Culala Jr. passed away peacefully on the afternoon of September 21st, 2020 after suffering a stroke. A service will be held on the 8th of October 2020 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, California. On October 9th, 2020, his body will be laid to rest in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, in Santa Nella, California. Before the burial, there will be a service at 9 AM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, California.
Ben was born to Benjamin Culala Sr. and Caroline (Wheeler) Culala on June 16th, 1947 in Salinas, California. Ben was a student at Pacific Grove High School, as well as Monterey Penninsula College before joining the military to serve in Vietnam in 1967, earning 2 purple hearts. He returned in 1970, and earned his BA in teaching. He also majored in History. He moved to Turlock and was a teacher and coached football, baseball, and golf, to name a few, at Turlock High School for 35 years. He was a passionate and devoted man who always gave his best to anyone he came in contact with. He has touched many lives in the community and he will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his 6 children: Nichole Horner (Culala), Caroline, McKinley, Karsen, Carter, and Cameron. Grandchildren: Nicholas, Julia, Brooke, Dylan, Romeo, and Levi. Brothers: Mikeal, and Scott. Sisters Sara and Annette. He is preceded in death by: his Father Benjamin, Mother Caroline, and brother Tommy.
