James M. Culberson Jr. ’51

James M. Culberson Jr. ’51, described by many as “the epitome of a community banker,” died in Asheboro, North Carolina, on May 31. Jim joined the First National Bank and Trust Co. in Asheboro in 1974 after stints in insurance underwriting with Chubb & Son and as a commercial banker with Wachovia Bank. He relished the close personal relationships of community banking. He became First National Bank’s CEO and served in leadership roles in North Carolina and U.S. banking associations, ultimately becoming president of the American Bankers Association. He was also a director of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Virginia. Jim was called “one of the last fun, thoughtful, straight-shooting, and professional bankers.” The same qualities that made him so effective and widely respected as a banker led him to serve as president of two chambers of commerce, the local United Way, and as a leader in the North Carolina Hospital Association, the North Carolina Zoo, Rotary, and his church. He was also active in his Dartmouth class as a member of Casque & Gauntlet, Beta Theta Pi, and the varsity track team. After graduation he served in U.S. Army Counterintelligence in Austria. He was a class agent and twice a member of the ’51 executive committee. The top delights in Jim’s life were his wife, Joan, who predeceased him, and their family. He also enjoyed dove-hunting season, serious deck tennis matches, and confounding tennis opponents with a wicked lefty spin.