Fred Pearson Culbreth, Jr. of Matthews, N.C., died on January 7, 2021. He was 91 years old. He was born March 24, 1929 in Shelby, NC to Fred P. Culbreth, Sr. and Essie Allen Culbreth.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, Ann Alexander Culbreth, Fred is survived by his daughter, Laurie Culbreth Helms and son-in-law, Tracy Helms of Rock Hill, SC; son Fred P. Culbreth, III and his wife, Kathy of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Alex Helms of Spartanburg, SC; Madeline Helms of Anderson, SC; Cayla Culbreth of Raleigh, NC; Scott Culbreth of Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Dixon of Matthews, NC; brother, Joe Culbreth and his wife, Diana of Charlotte; brother-in-law Bud Alexander and his wife Gloria of Snellville, GA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Betty Cline Barnwell of Charlotte, and other beloved family.
Fred grew up in Charlotte, NC and graduated in 1951 from The Citadel as a Distinguished Military Graduate and with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Summerall Guard Precision Drill Team. Fred served as an Officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers and earned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service in the Korean War.
After a career as a Regular Army Officer in the Corps of Engineers, he joined Shell Oil Company in Atlanta. During the following 34 years, Fred was involved with petroleum distribution and marketing engineering throughout the southeastern states. He received the Gold Award for Meritorious Service from the Petroleum Council of Georgia. He was a registered professional Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in several states.
Fred joined the Rotary Club of North DeKalb, Georgia where he served as President and as District Governor of Rotary International. He later served as President of the Rotary Club of Charlotte North. He received The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.
During his lifetime, Fred held membership in the Society of American Military Engineers; American Society of Civil Engineers; Decatur Masonic Lodge 723 in Decatur, GA and Phalanx Masonic Lodge 31 in Charlotte, NC; Yaarab and Oasis Shrine Temples. He was a past Director of the Charlotte Senior Forum and a Life Member of the Association of Citadel Men. Fred was a Charter Member of Boy Scout Troop 33 at Sardis Presbyterian Church, attaining the rank of Life Scout. He was a Charter Member of the Fred Society.
Among his hobbies, Fred enjoyed spending time tending to his garden. His greatest pleasure was found in making children with disabilities smile and laugh as Choo Choo the Clown. His talent was recognized in 1973 when he received the Top Clown Award from the National Shrine Clown Association.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Memorials may be made to the donor’s organization of choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.
Posted in: Charlotte Observer
Posted on: 2021-01-10
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=fred-pearson-culbreth&pid=197460556&fhid=40084