John Culberson

John Culberson was born on January 28th, 1947, in Shelbyville Illinois. His dad and mom owned a dairy and soda fountain shop. This was known as the high school hang out. John felt like the high school kids were his family for the amount of time he spent there! John has one younger sister who was just one year behind him in school. Both his sister and he were crown bearers at homecoming several times. His family moved to Custer in 1954. John was in second grade. John’s mother got a job in the supervisor’s office for the US Forest service. During grade school John’s favorite thing to do was ride bikes around town with his friends. As John got into high school he participated in many activities. He was on the football team, participated in many school plays alongside his sister, and was manager of the basketball team his senior year. John’s sister was a Girls State representative as a junior and John made it to Boys State his junior year as well. Boys and Girls State are American Legion awards to Junior students with good academics and community involvement. John graduated from Custer High in 1965.

John attended the University of Wyoming following his senior year. He then transferred to South Dakota State University where he finished out his college carrier. John mentioned that his change in schools might have had something do with a girl…! John got married in 1967 at the age of 20 years old. He and his first wife had two boys in their 17 years of marriage. John later remarried in 1988 to his wife, Susan. Susan had a son and daughter and they became a family of six. John now has 6 grandchildren. Two of Susan and John’s children live in Rapid City along with 5 of their 6 grandchildren. Both of their sons are Rapid City Fire Department Chiefs. Another son, who farms, and his wife live in Pierre with the sixth and youngest grandchild. Their daughter lives in Spring Hill, TN and works in the medical field.

John has held many jobs in his life. John has volunteered as an EMT in Custer for 18 years. He was a volunteer fire fighter for 25 years and was fire chief in Pierre for 7 years. He also was a schoolteacher in Presho for a few years. John now enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and spending as much time as he can with his grandchildren in his free time. John cherishes his family and friends above anything else.

John credits many of his successes in life to a true hero and inspiration in his life, Mrs. Marion Harris. Mrs. Harris was his 2nd grade teacher and taught him how to read as he had gotten out of first grade not being able to read. He is forever grateful for the impact she had on his life. When asked what advice he would give to the 4th grade class, he could mainly think of the impacts that Mrs. Harris had on him as an educator. John stated that passing down the generation of education and inspiring others along the way is how he would best advise the 4th grade class. He was lucky enough to have someone care and spend the time to make sure he left her class knowing how to read. He encourages all of you to read every day, love learning and enjoy life.