Rev. Garry A. Culver
Deceased: 2013-06-27
Diocese: DES MOINES
CSM Graduation Year: 1966
Rev. Garry A. Culver, 77, died June 27, 2013 at Hospice House of Sarasota in Sarasota, FL. A private Mass was held in Punta Gorda, FL with interment near his parents. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church in Des Moines, IA on August 5, at 10 a.m. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.Father Culver attended St. Augustin Grade School, Dowling High School, Loras College and Mount Saint Bernard Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1964 in St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, IA.Father Garry will be remembered as a very dedicated priest. He had strong views about many topics and often surprised people with his colorful statements and expressive tendencies. Never one to blend into the scenery, Garry’s dynamic presence was always felt in a room and his resounding laughter always made his appreciation of wit and humor known. A thoughtful, kind and deeply spiritual man, he was also a dedicated teacher. His students remember him fondly and with appreciation as well as, perhaps, a bit of trepidation as he was not a teacher to be trifled with. Students did not leave his tutelage skimming by on less than their best effort! Father Culver began his priesthood as an Assistant Pastor at St. John Church in Des Moines. After Canon Law studies in Rome he returned as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Panama, IA. He was a teacher at Dowling High School, Associate Pastor at St. Pius X Church then Pastor of St. Patrick’s Audubon and Holy Trinity, Exira. After a time as Associate at St. Theresa Church he became Pastor at St. Peter, Defiance, then St. Patrick Perry and afterward St. John’s, Greenfield. He served in the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Diocese from 1989 to 2000. He had Pastoral Care of parishes in Logan and Mondamin and was named Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines. He retired in the year 2000 after 36 years of service to his students and parishioners. All of his assignments were in IA. After retirement, Father Garry moved to Venice, FL.Father Garry was born October 25, 1935 to Garry L Culver and Margaret Tyner Culver in Chicago IL. Father Culver is survived by his sisters Jennie (Charles) Miller of Venice, FL, Jackie (Harry) Roberts of Ft. Collins, CO, and Cora Culver of Kingman, AZ and by 15 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Diane Culver-Veehoff and his nephew Edward Feld.Memorial contributions may be made to Father Culver’s favorite charity, Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
