John Charles McCollum

John Charles McCollum was born on October 7, 1956 in Lubbock, Texas, the first child of Michie and Shirley Biggs McCollum. He died at home on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at the age of 66.
John grew up in Lubbock for most of his childhood. He often recounted fun memories of spending time with his grandparents, cousins and neighbors who lived in the area. His family survived the tornado in 1970 even though the house was demolished. He had a life-long curiosity about weather and tornados. John learned a lot from his dad; he could fix, improve or build anything. John also had keen artistic abilities. He rarely exhibited them, but when he did, people were surprised. His beautiful gourd creations are the most recent example. From early on, John loved music of all kinds and enjoyed listening to the music of his parents. He had many favorites; his earliest was Louie Prima at age 3. He loved country, blues, classical, rock and roll and all kinds of obscure and eclectic music. He was a big Beatles fan. In middle school he loved playing the violin. Unfortunately, the family moved and there was no orchestra at the new school. He played football and baseball, but his top sport was golf, and he was on the golf team at Lubbock High. He continued to play golf for as long as he could, in addition to watching tournaments up to his final days. His senior year he went on a school trip to Europe. This was one of his favorite memories. John has close friends from high school that still gather from time to time. He valued and nurtured those relationships.
After graduation from Lubbock High School in 1975, John enlisted in the Navy where he served on the USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD on the commissioning crew as a "Plank Owner". He was an Engineering Department Yeoman for four years. He excelled at his position and received a letter of commendation from the Vice Admiral during his last year. Although he did not accept it, he was offered a position in the Intelligence service prior to discharge. John absolutely LOVED the Navy. He got to see the world, he had excellent mentors, and being out on a ship with the big sky was just like being in Lubbock! The relationships he formed during that short time were seminal in his young adult development and he had many poignant (and humorous) tales from that time in his life. In 2011, the Radford was sunk in the ocean off Delaware repurposed as a coral reef. He initiated and organized a reunion to gather at the sinking. It was a bittersweet experience. John was consistently humble about his time in the Navy; when he was thanked for his service (because he was wearing a Radford Navy hat given to him as a gift) he would explain how that honor was even more deserved by those that served in combat.
John returned from the Navy in Dec. 1979 to go to college at Texas Tech University and he graduated in 1985. In the early-mid 80's, John volunteered at the Lubbock Rape Crisis Center and developed friendships there that continue to this day.
John had a long career working with adults with developmental disabilities. He was the supervisor of a Vocational workshop, a Case Manager/QMRP, an assistant to the psychiatrist in charge of monitoring medication effects, and finally, as Director of the Foster Grandparents program which provided a stipend for low-income seniors and paired them with at-risk children in the community or residents at the state school for a caring/mentoring relationship. John was good at his jobs-as a psychiatrist assistant he designed programs to monitor psychotropic medication that were so effective they were shared and used state wide. With the foster grandparents, he took a personal interest in their lives, challenges and strengths.
John was active at St. John's United Methodist Church and served as Chair of the Trustees. He and a few friends from Lubbock High led the way to raise funds to buy new gear, a trailer, a storage building and do repairs on the old LHS bell so that the Rough Riders could excel at riling up school spirit at football games. It was especially meaningful that his daughter Molly was a Rough Rider. John spent free time working in the yard which he made into an oasis. Even when ill, he adapted to being on oxygen, got a backpack for it and did the yard work anyway. When not working on the yard, he loved to sit outside, listen to the birds, watch the squirrels and be still. John was an excellent and creative cook and enjoyed cooking for others. He could make things up as he went along, but he could also perfectly execute the most detailed and time consuming recipes. John learned the love and art of cooking from his beloved stepmother when he was in high school. Throughout his life, he continued to have a special relationship with her. He put a lot of love into the yard and into food.
John was intellectually curious and knew a lot about a lot of things. He could talk about just about anything. He took the time to learn the names of and talk to anyone he did business with regularly; the cashier, the mail carrier, the clerk at the cleaners etc. He would have conversations with strangers while standing in a line. People really enjoyed talking with him and he was curious and interested in them. John went out of his way to help others. There are too many to detail, but one example is the arrival of new neighbors who had never experienced camping so he took them camping one weekend. Another example was that he nominated one of the foster grandparents who served in WW II and was 89 years old to go on the Honor Flight to D.C and followed through to make sure it happened.
John was married to Cheryl Hall on April 25, 1998. They had a big love. John supported her in everything she did, including professional activities that took time away from him. He never complained and helped with anything she needed. He took joy in helping her pursue her professional and personal passions. He attended many races with her in the early morning hours, patiently waited and cheered her at the finish line. He loved every dog and cat she and Molly brought home. He supervised and contracted out the renovation of an old workshop in the backyard into a beautiful new office that opened in January 2023. In the early days, they enjoyed, hiking, biking and camping together. He loved to travel and tried to do that whenever possible. Hearing live music was a preferred activity they did together. This ranged from attending the symphony regularly to hearing country, blues, and rock and roll in many venues, including the kitchen and the back yard on Friday nights. He was a good dad to Molly who came along in 2001 and they shared Valentines dances, the ABC Rodeo, music, and a sarcastic wit. He reunited with his children Andrew and Mackenzie when they became adults. Their relationships were savored and deeply important given the years of absence.
John is survived by his wife Cheryl Hall, daughters Molly Hall McCollum and Mackenzie McCollum and her children/his grandchildren Carson and Annabelle, and his son Andrew McCollum. He is also survived by his brother Scott McCollum and his wife Anna and his step-brother Michael Gerschick. His sister Patty Girrens, his parents, stepmother Jonanne Gordon McCollum preceded him in death. He is survived by close extended family that were also precious to him; too many to name. They include a special aunt, many first and second cousins, a niece, and in-laws, not to mention all his friends that spanned many chapters of his life.
The memorial service for John will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church, 1501 University Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday March 31 at 3 pm.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/@st.johnsunitedmethodistchu2494 to join the livestream of the serivce.
It was John's wish that family and friends come together to eat barbeque, listen to music, and share stories. This gathering will be at 3021 20th Street in Lubbock at 6:30 pm on Friday, March 31st. Please RSVP to craighall1028@gmail.com by Tuesday March 28th if you can join in the after-party.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr. Ste 105, Danvers, MA 01960. Donations can also be made online at www.scleroderma.org/donate.