Dad: Gil Culp 6/2/1926 … 12/12/2008

by Wayne

We just got back from Dad’s funeral in Billings. We already miss him dearly. Please keep Mom in your prayers. Checkout the photo gallery put together by Ian and Robert Marsanyi (nephew and brother-in-law). Here is the obituary from the Billings Gazette: Also checkout Dad’s scrapbook: Gil Culp’s Scrapbook

Published on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
Last modified on 12/16/2008 at 12:37 am

Charles Gilbert “Gil” Culp

Charles Gilbert “Gil” Culp was born on June 2, 1926, in Hardin, a son of Carl William and Stella (Byler) Culp. He died peacefully in his favorite chair while watching a Grizzly football game, Friday evening, Dec. 12, 2008.

Gil left Alberton High School in 1944 to join the Navy and he served as an electrician in the SeaBees in the South Pacific. After WWII, he worked as an electrician at Fort Missoula, Mont., attended a technical school, and then started his career at Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co. Gil met the love of his life, Marjorie May Pruttis, while working in Helena. They were married in 1948 and had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He spent 37 years at Mountain Bell, working in Helena, Columbus, Glendive and Billings with fond memories and numerous lifelong friendships. He was a Little League baseball coach, a Scoutmaster, and enjoyed fishing.

Gil’s retirement began in 1984, where he volunteered with the Downtown Exchange Club. He was a life member of the Elks, the Telephone Pioneers and was a Master Mason. He enjoyed gardening, shuttle driving his kayaking son at the river, playing cribbage and telling stories to his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Marge; a son, Wayne Culp and his wife Camille of Omaha, Neb., and their children Charles (Megan) and Andrew; a son, Greg Culp and his wife Alice of Billings and their children Greg Jr. (Tara) and Michael; a daughter, Shelley Marsanyi and her husband Robert of Clinton, Wash., and their children Ian Marsanyi and Julie Proctor and her husband Terry; two brothers, J.C. (Dorothy) Shook and Al (Shirley) Culp; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill Shook and Leroy Culp; and three sisters, Evelyn Shook, Billy Penny and Joan Floyd.

Visitations will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday morning, Dec. 18, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, at Smith West Chapel, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that contributions be made to either the American Heart Association, Family Services Inc., or the charity of one’s choice.