Donald McCullough

Donald "Don" R. McCullough, 76, of Jackson passed away Thursday, March 31, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home, where he had lived since April 2007.

He was born Aug. 21, 1934, in Greenbrier, Mo., son of "Dudley" Hugh and Ida "Fern" Miller McCullough. He was raised on Castor River in Greenbrier. He and Sharon Bishop were married March 30, 1957, at New Bethel Baptist Church.

Don honorably served in the U.S. Army from April 10, 1957, to April 9, 1959. He was stationed 13 months in Germany.

Upon moving to Jackson in the early 1950s, he worked at Wib's Drive In, and drove a school bus 15 years for the Jackson R-2 School District. He then worked 27 years at Procter & Gamble, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church for more than 50 years and led the music more than 40 years. He loved to rabbit hunt and ride Tennessee Walking Horses. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and played men's slow pitch softball for the CO-OP team for many years.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Sharon, of Jackson; two daughters, Donna (Alva) Gilliam of Bonne Terre, Mo., and Kim (Rich) Jones of Jackson; two grandsons, Travis Wiggins of Jackson and Trent Wiggins of Fredericktown, Mo.; a granddaughter, Amy Rose Vanlandingham of Jackson; one great-grandson, Logan Wiggins of Jackson; one great-granddaughter, Lacey Rose Wiggins of Jackson; two brothers, Bill McCullough and Shannon (Karen) McCullough, both of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by five sisters, Rosalie Abernathy, Glenda Cameron, LaVeda Stepp, Geraldine Moore and Beulah Hardesty; and two brothers, Leon McCullough and Lyndell McCullough.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 a.m. to time of service Monday, at New Bethel Baptist Church near Pocahontas.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Revs. Don Estes, John Rhodes, Jack Bishop and Delbert Bishop officiating.

Interment will follow in New Bethel Cemetery, with military honors.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, Missouri Veterans Home or the church or charity of donor's choice.

Online sympathy messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.