Melvin Taaffe Culler Jr

DURHAM– Melvin Taaffe Culler, Jr., age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Duke Hospice Hock Family Pavilion after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and dementia. Mel was born in Savannah, GA, the only son of the late Melvin Taaffe Culler, Sr. and Kathleen Godbold Culler.
Mel grew up in downtown Savannah where his backyard playground was one of the historic squares near his Cathedral Day Elementary School. He and his buddies played football, baseball, and basketball in the squares, including Forsyth Park, which locals affectionally called "The Big Park." Mel and his friends always knew to return home from playing when the church bells at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist rang at 6 pm.
Mel met his wife, Kaye, at a Catholic Youth Organization dance during his sophomore year at Savannah High School. After graduating from high school, he attended Armstrong Junior College before transferring to The University of Georgia. He remained a loyal Bulldog fan for the rest of his life.
Mel and Kaye married in 1967 after he graduated from UGA. He then went off to basic training with the Army National Guard where he served until 1973. After basic training, Mel and Kaye moved to Durham where Mel began his career in the Accounting Department of General Telephone & Electronics of the Southeast. Mel took pride in being a "numbers guy," and enjoyed solving math related problems in his head quickly. He held accounting positions in several departments until his retirement from what is now Verizon Communications. Mel also served on the Board of Directors of the Vision Financial Federal Credit Union for many years.
Mel was a terrific girl dad and was so proud of his "girls," Kristen and Jennifer. Even though he could not convince them to play any of his favorite sports, he never missed a dance recital, piano recital, or any of the school activities in which his girls participated.
Mel's father inspired his love and appreciation for music, especially jazz music and jazz guitarists. He amassed an extensive collection of albums and insisted his music sounded better on traditional stereo components and speakers than with modern technology. His daughters always loved that he shared their music interests and enjoyed listening to their favorite 80's music right along with them.
After Mel retired in 2003, he became an even more avid golfer, having more time to spend on the links. He enjoyed talking sports with his sons-in-law and grandsons, pulling for his beloved Georgia Bulldogs and the Duke Blue Devils. He jokingly called himself a "font of useless information," excelling in any trivia related to sports or history.
When Jennifer and two business partners opened Carolina Dance Center in Raleigh in 2004, Mel worked at the front desk for a couple of years while they were building the business. Once a dance dad, always a dance dad.
Mel was also fortunate enough in his later years to reunite with friends from elementary and high school in Savannah, Pierre and Linda Philips, who inspired him and Kaye to travel internationally. Together, the couples enjoyed exploring Paris, the South of France, Italy, and a river cruise on the Danube.
If you knew Mel, you know that his grandchildren were his pride and joy and the center of his universe. There never was a prouder Pop! He and Kaye attended every soccer, baseball, basketball, and football game through high school for grandsons, Cade and Kyle. He taught them both to play golf at a very young age, and they credit Pop for their interest and enjoyment of golf to this day. Pop was present at every dance recital and cheer event for Kate, and then happily started all over again, attending the youngest grandchild, Brady's school and tennis events. He also became a willing and eager chauffeur when needed for school or sports pickup or delivery.
During these years, Mel's favorite week was the annual beach trip with the whole family. He especially loved playing handball, paddle ball, frisbee and bocci ball with his family, rocking on the covered porch overlooking the ocean, counting pelicans and finding constellations.
Together, Mel and his daughter Kristen were the "family historians," covering all important family events and trips on video tape prior to use of iPhones. It is a blessing to watch these memories and hear his quiet, yet often humorous commentary.
Mr. Culler is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen Stafford Culler; daughters, Kristen Culler Barnhill and husband Todd, Jennifer Culler Moore and husband Hunter; grandchildren, Cade Barnhill, Kyle Barnhill, Kate Barnhill and Brady Moore.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Treyburn Rehabilitation Center for their dedicated care and support of Mr. Culler during the past year. They also greatly appreciate the comfort and care given by the staff at Duke Hospice Hock Family Pavilion.
The family will receive friends at Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Durham, NC on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.
Duke Hospice, Hock Family Pavilion at 12 Moore Drive, Durham, NC 27703, or the online giving site:
https://www.givetodukeathome.org.
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in. Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.