Ronald Woodrow Culp I, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Jan. 6, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Ronald was born Feb. 11, 1941, at home, in Leachville, Ark., to Myrtle Josephine Zumwalt Culp and Willie Woodrow Culp. Myrtle and Woodrow were so proud of their boy.

Ronald began his education in a one-room schoolhouse, Gravel Hill School, near St. Francis, Ark. He went on to finish high school at Malden High School, as part of the class of 1958. Some of his fondest memories and best stories came from his time as a Malden Greenwave. He kept in close contact with many of his high school friends.

After high school, Ronald attended what is now Arkansas State University, first earning a bachelor's degree in sociology, then getting a certification to teach school.

In 1963, Ronald joined the Army National Guard of the United States and served until honorably discharged in 1971. While in the Guard, Ronald worked as a company clerk.

Karen Jane Lanier came into Ronald's life in the late 1960s, and they were united in marriage April 12, 1968. They remained happily married until his death – a total of nearly 58 years. Ronald and Jane had three children: Karen Elizabeth Culp of Springfield, Mo.; Ronald Woodrow Culp II (Shelly) of Malden, Mo. and David Glenn Culp (Amber) of Holcomb, Mo. Shortly after marrying, the couple would make a life on the Culp family farm originally purchased by Ronald's grandfather. Some of the family's best times and happiest memories came from their time on that farm in Clay County, Ark., raising everything from wheat, soybeans, rice and cotton to cattle, chickens, rabbits and ducks.

Ronald started his working life as a social worker for Dunklin County Mo. Later, he returned to school to get a teaching degree and spent many years teaching social studies and coaching basketball in the Clarkton and Senath-Hornersville school districts. The pursuit that ran through his entire life, though, was farming. He was born on a farm, and he was the third generation to farm his family's land. His son Ronald II was then the fourth generation. Ronald started farming full time in 1972 and that remained his career until retirement.

Ronald loved the outdoors. Some of his favorite moments in life were spent in a duck blind. He enjoyed gardening of all types, and he was an avid storyteller who enjoyed sharing old family stories, as well as tales from his time in school, working at his family's grocery store, serving in the National Guard or his many fond days on the farm.

Ronald was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkton.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Lanier Culp of Malden, Mo.; children Karen, Ronald and David Culp; daughters-in-law Shelly Culp and Amber Culp; sister, Joan Elizabeth Culp Titus (Cliff) of Miami, Fla., as well as four grandchildren: Ashton, Audrey, Addrienne and Allison. Many other nieces, nephews and cousins also remain to cherish Ronald's memory.

Preceding Ronald in death are his parents, Woodrow and Myrtle Culp and three grandchildren: Avery Lorne Culp, Conner Ross Culp and Grace Adell Culp.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell, Mo.,with the funeral service following at 11 a.m., with Pam Nelson officiating.  Serving as pallbearers will be Ron Culp II, David Culp, Ashton Adams, Phillip Wagster, Colton Poole, and DJ Treat.

Interment will be in Hall Cemetery near St. Francis, Ark. In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to Hall Cemetery in St. Francis, Arkansas. P.O. Box 38 St. Francis, Arkansas 72464.

Landess Funeral Home and Crematory of Campbell is in charge of the arrangements.