John Alan McCollum

John Alan McCollum passed away on July 10, 2010, at age 85.

John was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 26, 1924. His family lived in Kalispell, Montana before moving to Ashland, Oregon. John graduated from Ashland High School in 1943. He served in the United States Navy during the final years of World War II.

In 1946, John returned to Ashland and enrolled in Southern Oregon College, where he made two important decisions: (1) marry Helen Storm and (2) become a teacher. As it turned out, both decisions were good ones.

John and Helen were married on June 22, 1947 in Medford. John completed degrees from SOC and University of Oregon in 1949; his master's degree from Oregon State University in 1952; and earned his doctorate of education at University of California-Berkley in 1964. Dr. John A. McCollum EDD returned to Ashland, joined the faculty of SOC, where he taught teacher education for the next 24 years. In his career as a classroom teacher, elementary principal, central office administrator, and college professor John McCollum profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of students.

John and Helen had 5 children: Jeffrey McCollum of Medford, Douglas McCollum of Portland, Marcus McCollum of Ashland, Laurie Danley of Ashland, and Kerry Johnson of San Antonio, TX. John was preceded in death by wife, Helen and son, Douglas. John is survived by 10 grandchildren and (as of June 30, 2010) 1 great-grandchild.

In 1999, John married Frances Hood, who survives. Fran was wife, friend, traveling companion, and comfort during John's final years. John is also survived by his sister, Lucile Lowman of Medford, age 90.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration/reception on Thursday, July 15, 2010, 4:00 pm at Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room, on the campus of Southern Oregon University.

Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland, OR, www.litwillersimonsen.com.


Published in the Mail Tribune on 7/13/2010