ASHLAND — Jerry Culler sat in a lawn chair under a canopy tent, smiling as vehicles rolled through the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Culler turned 100 years old on Friday, and his family was determined that he’d have a proper and safe celebration.
“As a family, we thought it was very important that his 100th birthday not be missed. But we had to be mindful of COVID-19, his health and the health of others,” granddaughter-in-law Melissa Culler said.
“The birthday drive-by seems like the safest option. He could sit outside at a safe distance and those driving by could stay in their cars,” she added. “He’s a wonderful man and loved by many. This gave all those that wished to celebrate an opportunity to do so.”
Culler took a few minutes to chat with each well wisher as his family looked on. Some people brought cards, which a relative placed in a nearby basket.
Culler’s wife of 10 years, Gail, stood close by. The pair first met as teenagers, but reconnected a decade ago at church.
Jerry’s first wife, Donna, passed away in 2003. Gail lost her husband of 50 years two years later.
“We went to the same church meetings a good part of the time and we would talk and visit there so we finally got together and decided to ask for a date,” Jerry said. “We got along good, so we were both happy.”
Jerry and Gail enjoy driving through the countryside near Malabar Farm and Pleasant Hill, people watching and attending services at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church.
“Jerry is the most even tempered person that I have ever met in my life,” Gail said. “I don’t know if he ever gets angry.”
Culler also enjoys mowing the lawn. Even on his riding mower, it takes him close to three hours to mow his two-acre lawn. His love for the chore likely connects to a lifetime of farming.
According to his son, Doug, Culler grew up on a farm that encompassed the land where the Ashland Walmart and ALDI are now located. His family raised dairy cows, hogs and layer hens.
Culler continued to farm as an adult, working as farm manager at Hess & Clark from 1950 to its closure in 1978. From 1980 to 1985, he worked as farm manager at Malabar Farm. During that time, he and his first wife, Donna, lived in the Celia Rose Home.
He and Donna had three children together — Doug, Philip and Susan.
When asked about the secret to a long life, Culler cited his faith and moderate habits.
“Neither (Gail or I) ever drank, used bad language, both of us went to church, we never smoked,” he said.
