Search by Name

BORN

1946

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service

605 Commercial St SE

Salem, Oregon

Kenneth McCullough Obituary

Kenneth James McCullough

July 16, 1946 - April 24, 2013

SALEM - Kenneth James McCullough died at home in Salem, OR on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the age of 66 with family by his side. He was born on July 16, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY to Kenneth John McCullough and Gertrude (Murray) Noble, the oldest of six children. His siblings include Gerard (Elise) McCullough, Glenn McCullough, Doreen (Robert) DeSoto, Debra (Mathew) Cody, and Denise McCullough. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Glenn, and daughter Autumn Lee. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Beverly Ann Rumrill, and children Kenneth J. McCullough Jr. (Natasha), Kelly J. (Joseph) Ghormley, D. Bryan McCullough (Tanya), Terrena Hill, Amy Tilton, Casey Liner, Sabrina Olson, and Erik Evenhus—as well as ten grandchildren and two (almost three!) great-grandchildren. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968 in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry, 4th Battalion, "C" Co. From 1966 to 1967 he served in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (for Valor). Kenneth was a lifetime member of the VFW for over 20 years, a USPS Career City Letter Carrier for 34 years, and a member of NALC branch 1274 in Corvallis, OR where he served as Shop Stewart and Union President. A Celebration of Life reception will be held Friday, May 3, 2013 from 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. at Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd Street NW, Salem, OR 97304. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Apr. 30, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth McCullough

Not sure what to say?





Ken was such an amazing, loving man. I was very close to his daughter Autumn and would stay over night with her at Ken and Bevs house. They always welcomed me with big hugs and treated me as if I was part of their family. RIP Ken!! <3

Heather Harding

May 7, 2013

Smokey was my neighbor and playmate growing up in Levittown.we played stick ball ,punchball and enjoyed being kids.we both went into the army and got out and lived
on opposite side of the country but reconnected on Facebook I alway wondered how he was doing and am glad he did well for himself, I will miss him and feel like I lost a very close friend
Rest in peace i will never forget my tower lane buddy...Steve Milgrom

Steve Milgrom

May 5, 2013

kenny from all the cramer's junita and lester martin thanks for all the years of frienship
you will always be alive in my heart dan cramer

May 2, 2013

Luv ya miss even more than I can say

Shauna Drew

May 1, 2013

Ken you were a blessing & well loved by all. You were the reason i started following hockey back in the day. Rest in peace!

Michael Denson

May 1, 2013

MY BELOVED BROTHER SMOKEY,
YOUR PAIN ENDS & OUR ENDURES. I AM TRYING SO HARD BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WOULD WANT US ALL TO CARRY ON AND NOT HURT. JUST LIKE YOUR PHYSICAL PAIN -THANK GOD WE HAVE FOR EMOTIONAL PAIN AS WELL.
BUT I NEED CRAZY GLUE FOR TEAR OF MY HEART...NO SUCH THING.
SO BEAUTIFUL IN VERMONT. THE SPRING EARTH COMES FULL OF LIFE ONCE AGAIN- IT IS ALL I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT ALMIGHTY GOD CAN MAKE DEAD TREES, GRASS & FLOWERS BACK TO LIFE-HE PROMISES TO DO THE SAME FOR US. THUS WE BELIEVE.
EVERY NIGHT I WATCH THE SUN SET BEHIND THE MOUNTAIN-THE BRIGHT ORANGE/RED SKY- I THINK OF YOU SMOKEY-STILL CASTING A WARM GLOW.
THOUGHTS OF YOU ALIVE EVERYDAY- I WON'T LET A DAY GO BY WITHOUT A THOUGHT OF YOU. LOVE & MISS YOU ALWAYS-YOUR SIS DEB

DEBRA CODY

May 1, 2013

Thank you dad for teaching me all that I have in this life. I experienced so much with you and because of you. I'm proud of you for all that you have experienced and accomplished while here. RIP now dad I love and miss you.

Bryan McCullough

May 1, 2013

Ken... thank you for being the loving dad that Autumn didn't have in her life. You meant the world to her (and me). You and her enjoy catching up until the rest of us get there!

Cindy Wyant

May 1, 2013

After 43 yrs of marriage, I loved you enough to let you go for your sake. Love & peace. Hug those we love and miss. See you "On The Flip-side"! MORE, Bev

Beverly McCullough

April 30, 2013

I love and miss you so much grandpa can't wait to see you on the other side like you said your always in my thoughts. Love tayler

Tayler Mccullough

April 30, 2013

You are in the palm of Jesus' hand now, enjoy dear cousin, and pray for us. We love you.

Don and Maureen Donovan

April 30, 2013

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Lorraine and George DeSoto

April 30, 2013

Going to miss you, Sure enjoyed our visits.You were one of my favorite Patients.RIP my friend.

Judy Wilson

April 30, 2013

Mary Ellen Polk

April 30, 2013

Though I didn't know you in 'real' life it was a pleasure to get to know him through his beautiful sister Doreen and on Facebook.
Rest in Peace Smokey, you deserve it.
Thank you for your service to our country and God Bless your entire family through this sad and difficult time.

Ellen Savold

April 30, 2013

You will be missed Ken, your sense of humor and your accent were the best. We love you.

Lance & Charla Howard

April 30, 2013

Well Ken please say hello to Autumn and Harry for me....hugs and blessings to your family here....

Peggy Otto

April 30, 2013

I have known you since I was a child..and enjoyed all of your wit ad inspiration as an adult..I will MISS that..I DO know THIS.. we shall meet again....blowing kisses and some of my pictures that you so much enjoyed.. of flowers and sunsets up to the sky..I know you can see them..RIP my friend..xox

Peggy Keegan

April 30, 2013

May you rest in peace. Sabrina sure loved you. She will miss you a lot.

judy governor

April 30, 2013

R.I.P. Smokey and don't worry abou Doreen we will take good care of her xoxo

Amelia Hyler

April 30, 2013

My brother whom I have loved and adored; I know you are out of pain and at rest know although my heart is broken. May God comfort all in the family through their grieving!

Doreen DeSoto

April 30, 2013

You will always be remembered. You're a hero, great friend, wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, and Grandpa. I will never forget all the times we laughed at jokes amd loved our kids. Thanks for standing up for me when I got married. Too bad it didn't last. Rest in Peace my friend, rest in peace,

Patty Cramer

April 29, 2013

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results

Make a Donation
in Kenneth McCullough's name

Memorial Events
for Kenneth McCullough

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service

605 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97301

How to support Kenneth's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Kenneth McCullough's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more