James Blair “Jim” Culbertson, of Winston-Salem, died peacefully at home on August 29, 2025. He was born May 27, 1938, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to Arthur Benjamin and Siddie Lancaster Culbertson.
Jim graduated from The Citadel in 1960, where he was a member of the college’s Honorary Society. Following graduation, Jim spent two years in military intelligence as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After leaving military service, he worked as an industrial engineer with Burlington Industries and then in sales and sales management for Burroughs Corporation. In 1974, he founded Financial Computing, Inc., which supplied community banks and car dealerships with computer hardware and the company’s proprietary financial software, guiding the company until his retirement in 2000.
Jim’s career was also marked by distinguished national service. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him to the American Battle Monuments Commission, where he served from 2005-2008. He was subsequently appointed by President Bush to serve as United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a post he held from 2008-2009.
Politics and public life were among Jim’s greatest passions. He was named national “Outstanding Young Republican of the Year” in 1969, was past chair of the NC Federation of Young Republicans, and served for a decade on the National Federation of Young Republicans Executive Committee. Over the years, he played an important role in numerous campaigns, including those of U.S. Senators Jim Broyhill and Elizabeth Dole, U.S. Representative Wilber “Vinegar Bend” Mizell, and North Carolina Governors Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin. He served in 2000 as North Carolina Finance Co-Chairman of the George W. Bush for President Committee. In 2004, Jim was the North Carolina State Finance Chairman of the George W. Bush for President Committee and was a top national fundraiser for the campaign. He subsequently served as Finance Committee Co-Chair of the Bush Inaugural Committee.
Jim also contributed extensively to civic and business leadership in North Carolina and beyond. He served for six years on both the North Carolina Banking Commission and the North Carolina Board of Economic Development. He was a former board member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, the John Locke Foundation, and the National Federation of Independent Businessmen. An Eagle Scout at age 13, he later supported the Boy Scouts of America as a Member at Large of the Old Hickory Council. He was a member and past board member of Forsyth Country Club. From 1988 until his death, Jim served on the Board of Trustees of The Fund for American Studies in Washington, D.C., where he recently established the James B. Culbertson Endowed Scholarship Fund.
In recognition of his service and leadership, Jim was named “Alumnus of the Year” by The Citadel in 2008 and was honored as a Citadel Distinguished Alumnus in 2024. He was also awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James G. Martin and was named to the ROTC Hall of Fame in 2016.
Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Germaine Calhoun Culbertson; and his brother, Arthur Benjamin Culbertson, Jr. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Blair and James Robbins of Atlanta, two grandsons, William Robbins and George Robbins, also of Atlanta; and his partner and sweetheart of nine years, Suzanne Bullotta.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, September 5th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Forsyth Country Club. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Fund for American Studies, 1706 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, or to Trellis Supportive Care in Winston-Salem.
The family also wishes to express its gratitude to the staff of Imani Home Care Service and Trellis Supportive Care of Winston-Salem. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funerals & Cremations
120 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101