Dr. Jack Dennis McCullough Jr.

Dr. Jack Dennis McCullough Jr. died on June 16, 2013. He was born August 8, 1931, to Col. Jack D. McCullough and Helen Williams McCullough in San Antonio, Texas. He was a 6th generation Texan as his Forefather, Freeman George, was among "The old 300 Settlers" arriving with Stephen F. Austin to inhabit an area later to become Texas. Dr. McCullough is survived by his wife, ElaRuth Bankston McCullough, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He is also survived by two sons and three grandchildren; Thomas and Maria and son Fred, Bruce and Diana and children, Lindsay and Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harvey and Jay Ray. Jack graduated from Stephenville High School, Tarleton Jr. College and University of Texas in Austin. He was awarded the master's degree from Stephen F. Austin University and completed a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Biology and Oceanography. As a recipient of National Science Foundation Scholarships, McCullough was able to earn both graduate degrees in the biological sciences. While a student at the University of Texas, he was in the ROTC and upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Jack served his country seven years as an officer, attaining the rank of Captain. Jack taught in public schools in the Houston Independent School District for eight years as an advanced level biology teacher. He was also a biology instructor at Texas A&M University. In 1964, the family moved to Nacogdoches where Jack began teaching in the Biology Department at Stephen F. Austin State University. Jack retired in December 2000 as the director of the Environmental Science Graduate Studies Program. His academic specialty was in water quality-aquatic ecology and water pollution. Upon retirement, Jack was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus. Other honors included Regent's Professor Award for Research; Distinguished Professor Award by the Alumni Association; and the SFA Foundation Faculty Achievement. He served as President of the Texas Academy of Science and also as Editor for the Texas Journal of Science. McCullough published 50 or more scientific papers, many of which were presented to scientists at state, national and international scientific conferences. His greatest joy was the supervision of 150 graduate students in scientific research and writing as a partial fulfillment of student's requirements for the master's degree. In 1981, McCullough joined Nacogdoches Rotary Club where he served the Club as President, Board of Directors, and 3 years as Assistant District Governor. He proudly served International Rotary District #5960 as District Governor. Jack and ElaRuth traveled to many Rotary International Conferences and participated in mission trips to the Amazon River villages and Central American villages helping to improve the health and living conditions of the villagers. After being retired for several years, Dr. McCullough was invited by the SFA School of Forestry to become a water and environmental science researcher. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to do the base line studies of Lake Naconiche before empoundment in 2010. He had, in 1980, studied Nacogdoches Reservoir, and he was proud to know that Nacogdoches had access to good water and good fishing. Jack believed in giving back to Nacogdoches, thus he served on numerous committees, led historical walking tours and narrated for bus tours. He was on the Eagle Scout Board of Review to approve young Boy Scouts to become Eagle Scouts. He was a long-time member at Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to SFA Alumni Association to the McCullough Family Scholarship, C/O SFA Alumni Association, P.O. Box 6096 SFA, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park with Steve Newton officiating. Following the graveside service, the Witness to Resurrection of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A family visitation and reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall at the church. To offer condolences to the family please log onto www.lairdfh.net.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Sentinel.