John Bryson Culver was born April 5, 1954 in Midland, Texas to John R. and Barbara Culver. He went to be with his grandfather, Lawrence Green, his father, John Culver, and his brother, Lawrence Culver on June 17th.Bryson was a proud Midlander who attended Midland High School where he was an All State member of the swim team, which led him to answer a calling to serve in the Coast Guard after graduating high school in 1972. When enlisted, the recruiter promised him his choice of assignments. Bry told the Coast Guard he wanted to see both poles of the earth, and he got his wish serving aboard the Ice Cutter Glacier AGB-4. He was honorably discharged four years later when he was called home after his father suffered a heart attack. Looking for the next adventure, Bryson found a career at Midland’s infamous The Bar, where his skills took him to management. There, he met his wife Mary Ann Kelly and the two were married in 1982. Around 1989 he decided it was not too late to get a college degree. With a degree in hand, he found his permanent teaching position at Bush Elementary in 1992 where he was a fifth grade Science teacher until his last day alive. His love for science and teaching created the perfect job for Mr. Culver. Like the organized chaos of room 311, he found himself surrounded by a team of co-workers that he deeply respected and truly loved. There will be an everlasting void at his home away from home where he will be greatly missed by the students and faculty of Bush Elementary.Bryson leaves behind his mother, Justice Barbara Culver Clack, his ex wife Mary Ann Culver, his sons Reed Culver and John Thomas Culver, his niece, Lawren Robertson and husband Toby, his nephew Cory Culver and wife Kali, his great nephew Kesmond Andrews and great niece Addisyn Robertson, his cousins Pat and Dianne Lofton, his “brothers” Bobby Grace, Paul Haden, and Matt Curry, and many more long time friends including his dogs Tripper and Bernstein who are wondering where he is and when he is coming back.A memorial service will be held Saturday June 21, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at First United Methodist. Graveside services will follow at a later date. Pallbearers will be his sons, Reed and John Culver, his nephews Cory Culver, Toby Robertson, and Kesmond Andrews, and his friends Bobby Grace, Paul Haden, and Matt Curry.In honor of his memory, please make donations to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at 500 W. 4th Street, Odessa, TX. 79761, or a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.,
