Everett McCulloch

1921 - 2016

SHERMAN - Everett McCulloch was born Thursday, March 31, 1921 in Lamasco, Texas to Walter and Minnie (Harris) McCulloch and went into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, September 4, 2016 in Sherman at the age of 95.

Everett married the love of his life, Mary Hicks, on March 7, 1944 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. She preceded him in death on April 17, 2012.

After Everett enlisted in the Bonham National Guard in the fall of 1940, his unit was called into the regular US Army by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He received training as a radio operator mechanic and gunner. Upon the completion of his military training in the United States, he was assigned to the 97th Bomb Group stationed in England. He was a radio operator and gunner on B17s, flying missions over Germany. His plane flew over Normandy during the D Day invasion on June 6, 1944. On the ninth mission, his plane, which was named the "Flak Magnet" by Everett, was shot down over Magdeburg, Germany on June 20, 1944. He was captured and imprisoned in Staglag Luft IV, a German POW Camp. In February 1945, Everett was one of 10,000 Allied POWs who were marched from Poland to Western Germany as the Soviet Red Army approached from the east. During this three month march, he endured many hardships where he was forced to sleep outdoors on the frozen ground and had little to eat. Towards the end of the march, the German soldiers abandoned the POWs. Everett, who was skilled in mechanics, hotwired an abandoned fire truck. He drove the fire truck westward for several days, transporting more than 20 Allied POWs. They finally were liberated by the British Army on May 5, 1945. He returned to the United States where he was reunited with his bride whom he had married shortly before shipping out to England.

After World War II, Everett continued to serve in the US Air Force. During his military tenure, Everett was stationed in the Philippines, Korea, and at numerous air force bases in the United States. After 29 ½ years of honorable service, he retired as an E-7 Master Sergeant in 1970.

After retiring from the US Air Force, Everett pursued his education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He received his BS degree in Education in 1974 and his MS degree in Behavioral Studies in 1976.

Everett taught high school Industrial Arts in Plano and Bonham. After teaching, Everett became a real estate agent and broker. He worked many years with Don Davis Realtors in Sherman.

One of Everett's greatest joys in life was being a grandfather to his five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He always had Blue Bell ice cream for them when they visited. He was always willing to entertain his grandchildren by singing and playing and piano and guitar for them.

He was a life time amateur radio operator with the call letters WR5A. For many years, Everett helped others in the Texoma area become licensed radio operators. Through his interest in the amateur radio, Everett promoted communication for people all over the world.

Everett was also an avid photographer always having his cameras with him to capture family and community events. He leaves as part of his legacy thousands of photographs, color slides, and home videos.

Everett and his family were long time members of Fairview Baptist Church, joining in 1957. At Fairview, he was a "good and faithful servant" of the Lord. He taught Sunday school for many years leading young people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Everett's faith led him to serve as a deacon and hold many leadership roles at Fairview Baptist Church.

Everett was also preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Michael A. Hall, sister Lorene 'Nene' Sloan, and brother Collie Aubrey McCulloch.

He is survived by his daughters, Sherry Hall and Connie Mitchusson (Mike) both of Sherman; brother, Ray McCulloch (Veta) of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Shannon Pasco (Alex) of Portland, OR, Casey Hall (Elizabeth Fujiura) of Richmond, VA, Megan Barnhill (Bryan) of Allen, TX, Matthew Mitchusson and Marcus Mitchusson both of Sherman, great grandchildren, Parker Pasco and Grayson Barnhill and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 8th at Fairview Baptist Church at 10 a.m. with Rev. Chris Moses officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park with Bryan Barnhill, Casey Hall, Matthew Mitchusson, Marcus Mitchusson, Alex Pasco and Edwin Sloan serving as pallbearers. Everett's family will receive friends at Waldo Funeral Home on Wednesday, September the 7th from 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Fairview Baptist Church or Meals on Wheels. The online register book can be signed at www.waldofuneralhome.com