City Mourns Passing of Former Mayor Bob Culpepper

Monday, April 30, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Robert "Bob" Culpepper, Mayor of Farmington, 1978-1982

Funeral services for Bob Culpepper will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2pm at St. John's Espiscopal Church, 312 N. Orchard Avenue.

Former Farmington Mayor Robert "Bob" Culpepper has passed away. The city of Farmington confirmed the news with an e-mail message to all staff this afternoon. Culpepper was Mayor of Farmington from 1978-1982. In addition to serving as mayor, Bob Culpepper was a member of the Public Utility Commission from 1983-2012. Most recently, the Culpepper family helped to establish the Native American Museum in downtown Farmington featuring a wide variety of Navajo rugs collected by Bob and his wife Mary over the years. Bob Culpepper was 90 years old.

Funeral services for Bob Culpepper will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2pm at St. John's Espiscopal Church, 312 N. Orchard Avenue.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.