Francis C. Kulp

On March 7, 2022, Francis Clay Kulp of Lexington, SC, died at the age of 102.
Clay was born to William Henry and Annie Elisabeth Abbott Kulp on February 3, 1920, in Madison Heights, Virginia.
Clay was predeceased by his wife, Annie Mae Graham Kulp of Conway, SC, and siblings Evelyn Adelia Kulp Walker and her twin, Mazie Elizabeth Kulp Frascini, William Vernon Kulp, Otis Abbott Kulp, Charles Lafayette Kulp, Ida Estelle, Louise Dumville Kulp Rosenblatt, and Virginia Rebecca Kulp Bradshaw.
Clay is survived by his children: Timothy Clay Kulp (Katie) of Charleston, SC, Janet Kulp Grigsby, (Ray) of Lexington, SC, grandchildren William Clay Kulp, 1st Lt. Jack F. Kulp, USAF, Lauren Grigsby and Andrew Grigsby, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families who loved him dearly.
Following his father’s death in 1929, as the Great Depression began, Clay and other younger siblings grew up in the Masonic Orphanage in Richmond, Virginia. After his graduation, he worked for the railroad until enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1942. Assigned to various USCG Cutters as a radio technician, he and his fellow “Coasties” patrolled the Atlantic Ocean with an emphasis on hunting German submarines lurking off the eastern seaboard. He was Honorably Discharged in 1947.
During his military service, when on leave in Conway, SC, he met the love of his life, Annie Mae Graham. After marrying, they settled in Columbia, SC. With his wartime expertise in electronics and radio communications, he joined the S.C. Highway Department and retired after 39 years of service.
Clay was an avid hobbyist who collected stamps from all over the world. He amassed a remarkable coin collection.
When he turned 100, a grand birthday party was held for him. Relatives and friends from several states attended. His grandson Jack Kulp, then a Lt. in the USAF, flew in from his duty station to honor his grandfather. They both celebrated the occasion as they had for 23 years, both born on the same day. His daughter created and led a trivia game regarding aspects of Clay’s life for all attendants. Clay won the contest.
 
Services for Clay will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Woodridge Cemetery, 138 Corely Mill Road, Lexington, SC, 29072. A U.S. Coast Guard Military Funeral Honor Detail will be present to recognize his service to the USCG and to his country.
After burial at 11:00 a.m. at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corely Mill Road, Lexington, S.C., with a U.S. Coast Guard Military Funeral Honor detail attending, a celebration of his long and wonderful life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Boyce Chapel, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 where he and his bride were members for over forty years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the https://coastguardfoundation.org in Clay’s name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis C. Kulp, please visit our floral store.