John Ellis Culwell (Tulia)

John Ellis Culwell, last surviving child of John Ellis Sr and Maggye Culwell passed April 11, 2024, at the age of 102. John was born in Jones County on August 9, 1921. His family came to Wayside in 1925 and graduated in Wayside in 1938. 

He married the love of his life on September 21, 1940, Addie Lucille Moore. He is survived by 2 daughters, Vicki and Kenneth Littlefield, and Cheryl and Dale Swinburn, of Tulia; one bonus daughter, Shan Durham of Amarillo. Also surviving are grandchildren, Wade and Linda Littlefield of Vigo Park, Kenee and Billy Borchardt of Canyon, Carrol and Julie Littlefield of Amarillo, Chad Swinburn of Tulia, Scot Swinburn of Lubbock, and Dane and Anna Swinburn of Lubbock. 14 great-grandkids, 10 great-great-grandkids, and 1 great-great-great grandkid. Also, many nieces and nephews. 

John was a farmer and a carpenter. As he once said, he was a “jack of all trades, master of none.” In his later years, he became a master carpenter, making many crosses, cabinets, benches, and birdhouses. He was an active member of Vigo Methodist Church for over 75 years. He served on the Swisher Co-op Board of Directors, Senior Citizens, Farmers Union, and Swisher Memorial Museum Board & RSVP. 

He was well known for his support in all sporting events, especially when involving his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He followed them all over Texas, from Tulia, Canyon, Wayland, West Texas A&M, LCU, and San Angelo State University.  

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 76 years, Lucy Culwell, brothers, Dallas and Dayle, 2 sisters, Mila Ramsey and Evelyn (Bob) Davis, and 1 great-grandchild, Grayson Swinburn. 

Services will be held on April 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM Saturday at the Tulia Methodist Church and burial at Wayside Cemetery. The date was very special as it would have been his wife, Lucy’s, 102^nd birthday.

 A visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:30 at the funeral home. 

 Memorials may be made to Swisher County Senior Citizens Center, 619 SE 2^nd St Tulia, Texas 79088, or Tulia Methodist Church, 119 N Briscoe Tulia, Texas 79088.