Robert Earl Capps, Sr.

Robert Earl Capps, Sr. 

Born March 31, 1936, in Rockfish, North Carolina to Frances Braddy and Milton Earl Capps. Earl attended Hoke County High School and married Edna Marie Cummings on October 31, 1963, in Jacksonville, NC. They remained happily married until her death on April 3, 2017. Earl died peacefully in his home on January 7, 2025, under the patient care of Liberty Hospice.

Earl is survived by his children, Marcella Burshia [Orville] of Arizona, Teresa Conoly [Lawrence] of Virginia. Robert Capps Jr., Xan Allen [Charles], Earlina Capps, of Raeford, Peter O’Brien [Lindsay], of Topsail Island, his 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Earl is also survived by two sisters, Dayne Crumpler and Nancy Autry (Herman), both of Raeford. In addition to his late wife, Earl is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Diana.

Earl was a teenager looking for something to do when he discovered Putt-Putt golf in Fayetteville NC, where Don Clayton had just opened America’s original Putt-Putt course. Earl joined the newly formed Professional Putters Association (PPA) in 1960 giving him his PPA playing card number- 46! Earl competed in events across the mid-atlantic states, placing in the top ten in Baltimore and Petersburg. Playing the sport would not be his hallmark in the putting industry; Earl Capps would become the dominant builder of Putt-Putt courses in the United States.

Earl began building Putt-Putt courses in 1956 in Charlotte NC. His dedication to quality earned him a reputation as a renowned Master builder of Putt-Putt courses. In 1976 he received the Putt-Putt Golf Courses of America, Inc. President’s Award. Earl was acknowledged by owners, managers and PPA members on April 26, 1991 as the eleventh inductee into the PPA Hall of Fame.

Earl worked from the East coast to the West coast, from the North to the South of the US. Despite his work travel, he would drive great distances when he could to be present at Galatia Presbyterian Church. There, Earl served in many capacities, including Sunday School Superintendent, ordained Deacon (1992), ordained Elder (2004), and choir member. Earl frequently arrived early to open the doors and prepare the coffee (despite not drinking it himself) and spent many days working to make the church grounds look attractive.

After retiring from Putt-Putt in 1998, Earl began a second career working at Crumpler Funeral Home until 2016 when, at the young age of 80, he retired again. Earl enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching jeopardy, playing with his grandchildren and telling “dad” jokes. He was a regular at his favorite restaurant, the Edinborough restaurant, where you would find him in the back room with his favorite crew.

The family would like to thank the Liberty Hospice workers and the Palliative Care Team in Southern Pines. A very special thank you to Dana Holt Wright for coming to the house in recent days to cut Earl's hair, Vanessa Locklear and Joy Taylor for the care that they have taken of their loved one, Ms. Myrle Andrews for her loyal and loving heart, and Lydia Parker, Estella Lowery, and Wanda Harris for their assistance in providing care and support in Earl’s last days.

Visitation will be held 1:00 – 3:00 PM Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Galatia Presbyterian Church, 8800 Galatia Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Funeral services will follow the visitation at 3:00 PM with Pastor Brett Johnson Officiating.

Earl will be laid to rest beside his loving wife Marie in Galatia Presbyterian Church Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Contributions may be made to Liberty Hospice or Galatia Presbyterian Church. Liberty Home Care and Hospice, 3134 Wendell Blvd Level A Wendell, NC 27591: Galatia Presbyterian Church, 8800 Galatia Church Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304