Lester Clayton Culver III

Lester Clayton Culver III, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home on March 7, 2026, after fighting a series of diseases that, in the end, overwhelmed him.

Born in New Orleans, Clayton graduated from New Orleans Academy, studied English Literature at Tulane University, obtained his Masters in Psychology from the University of New Orleans, and earned his PhD in Psychology from the New School for Social Research in New York City.

After returning to the New Orleans area, Clayton maintained a private psychological practice involved in patient therapy and evaluations. He also became an adjunct professor of Psychology at Southeastern University in Hammond, where he impacted the lives of many students. He maintained memberships and affiliations with many professional associations.

Clayton had several passions in life: cars, especially Porsche's, music, English literature, and poetry. A devoted fan of endurance sports car races, he attended the 24 hours of Daytona, the 12 hours of Sebring, the 6 hours of Watkins Glen, and the 24 hours of LeMans. For over 25 years, Clayton attended the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, an internationally known juried collector car show, with friends. Clayton especially appreciated the French Delahaye cars for their Art Deco elegance and performance capabilities. He was proud of his early work as a Porsche and Volkswagen mechanic and continued to enjoy tinkering with his cars throughout his life.

Clayton was predeceased by his parents, Doris Dahlberg Culver and Lester Clayton Culver, Jr., and his cousins Stephen Ellis and Douglas Ellis. He is survived by his uncle, retired Judge Stephen Ellis (Haydee), devoted cousin-in-law Jane Ellis (Douglas) and her children, Averell (Blake) Baudier and daughter Betty Baudier, and Jonathan Ellis, as well as Colin Ellis and Ian Ellis, the children of his cousin Stephen.

With an easy-going personality, Clayton had a devoted circle of friends who knew they could count on him at any time of the day or night and who will miss his wit and wisdom dearly.

The family would like to recognize Passages Hospice along with Lucy Seymour Gordon, Donna Hulbert, and Katie James, caregivers extraordinaire, who tenderly ensured that Clayton's last weeks were comfortable.

Interment in the Metairie Cemetery Dahlberg-Culver family tomb will be private.