A. J. Mccollum

A.J. McCollum, Sr., age 85, of West, passed away late Tuesday evening, May 28, 2013 at Providence Health Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Dr. Don Cass and Dr. John Crowder officiating. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A.J. was born November 1, 1927 in Falls County, the son of Loraine (Swanzy) and Homer McCollum, Sr. He attended schools in Rosebud and was a 1945 graduate of Rosebud High School. He then received his Associate Business Degree from Temple Junior College. A.J. served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. On December 20, 1952 he was united in marriage to Roberta Correne Massey in Rosebud. A.J. was an instrument electrical technician for the Texaco Refinery Company in Port Arthur for 37 years until retiring in 1984. He then worked for the McLennan County Sheriff's Department until 1995. A.J. was a member of the First Baptist Church of West. He was also a member of the West Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4819, a 50 year member of the Rosebud Masonic Lodge, and for the past 15 years he was a member of the West Masonic Lodge. A.J. liked being the well operator for the Bold Springs Water Supply for the past 24 years. He enjoyed farming and working outdoors. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandsons. A.J. is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Homer McCollum Jr., Don McCollum and George McCollum; and a sister, Neppie Lou Elsik. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Correne McCollum of West; a son, A. Jay McCollum Jr. and wife Anne of Gallup, New Mexico; a daughter, Jan McCollum of West; brother, Fred McCollum and wife Vergie; sister, Bettye Johnson and husband Charles; sisters-in-law, Billie McCollum and Rachel McCollum; grandsons, Benjamin "B.J." McCollum and Caleb McCollum; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are George Kocian, Jerry Sinkule Jr, Buster Russell, Jerry Gerard, B.J. McCollum, Caleb McCollum, Mike McCollum and Charles R. Johnson Jr. Honorary pallbearers are John Paul Enders, Raymond Polansky, Frank Polansky, Robert Urbanovsky, Robert "Bob" Swanzy, Dr. Jeff Price and Wayne Swanzy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Volunteer Fire Department or the West Volunteer Ambulance Association.