Ed McCollum

William Edward (Ed) McCollum, Retired Captain USMC, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at his home in Robbinsville, NC with his family by his side. Ed was born November 30, 1936, in Wayne County to Troy and Lettus (Griffin) McCollum. He grew up on his family’s farm with his two sisters, Ann and Betty before the family relocated to Jesup. He enjoyed educational pursuits and played on the Wayne County High Basketball team. He graduated from Golden Gate University with a Bachelor of Science in Management.

Ed proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 32 years until his retirement on May 31, 1988. During most of his military service, he worked as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). He also spent time as a Flight Navigator.

His love of being a Marine began at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot - Parris Island in Beaufort, SC. After training, he was stationed at many Marine and Naval bases, often on the East Coast; and three tours of duty for a total of eight years in Iwakuni, Japan. He completed his circuit back at Beaufort, SC.

A man with high energy and intelligence, he could not stay still (or retired) for long. He owned and managed a Sears Catalog store in Jesup, GA, for four years, provided bookkeeping services to small businesses, taught accounting and math for the technical college in Jesup, GA, and, after his move to Robbinsville, NC, in 2004, worked as a tax preparer with H&R Block and finally with Hometown Tax & Accounting Services.

He was also a very active member of the Masonic Lodge #672 in Robbinsville, NC, and a member of the Robbinsville Oasis Shrine Club, as well as the Franklin Chapter 95 Royal Arch Masons, Doric Council 20 Royal & Select Master, and Waynesville Commandery 69 Knight Templar.

Ed was predeceased by his parents Lettus and Troy McCollum, his sister Ann McCollum Dent, and his daughter Jessica Nan McCollum. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patty Ditmore McCollum, his sister, Betty McCollum Salter, his daughter Angel McCollum, sons Jeff McCollum and Steve Hyde (Rhonda), and sister Betty McCollum Salter. He was a beloved grandpa to his grandchildren Jeremy (Jessica), Cory (Angelina), Tyler, Logan (Riley), Cody, George (Hannah), Dakota, Marla, and Riley. He was blessed with several great-grandchildren: Vada, Kiley, Brody, Isla, Annabelle, Hagan, Oliver, Isla, and Braxton. He was anticipating the birth of his first great-great-grandchild, Easton, in February 2025. Enjoying times with their blended families, Ed and Patty remained friends over the years with Carolyn Herndon Comer, mother of Angel, Jeff, and Jessica Nan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 14 in North Carolina.

Additional funeral services will be held Monday, December 16 at 2 PM at Howard Funeral Home in Ludowici with Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Burial with military honors will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery in Jesup.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Oasis Shrine Club in Robbinsville, NC.

Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com

Local arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.

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