Wayne McCollom

Wayne McCollom, 93, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with his family by his side at Lake Saint Louis.

Wayne was born Dec.2 11, 1928, in El Dorado Springs to Jasper and Fay McCollom. Wayne grew up on a farm during the depression. He rose early each morning to do chores, to include milking the cows, before going to a one-room schoolhouse where he would later teach. Wayne’s father passed away when he was a boy, leaving Wayne to be the “man of the house” at seven years of age. Wayne was driving the tractor at eight and focused on helping his mother run the farm. Wayne used to laugh and say he learned his worth when his mother and step-father purchased a cow milking machine when he went off to college. Wayne, at the urging of his mother, attended Southwest Baptist teachers’ college in Bolivar and returned home to teach a couple years in his hometown.

Wayne later attended the University of Missouri, Columbia earning a degree in agriculture. He met and later married his wife of almost 68 years, Marie, who was also a student at University of Missouri. Wayne enlisted in the Air Force and served 20 years, one of those years in the Korean war. He trained in the Air Force to be a meteorologist and later attended Officer Candidate training and was commissioned as an officer. Wayne provided weather predictions for several classified military operations. Some of his stories were about standing up to Generals who wanted to commence a mission when weather conditions might compromise the missions. Wayne completed his degree in Meteorology while serving on active duty, attending Penn State and Texas A&M. Wayne and Marie enjoyed living in many (16) places, including England, while Wayne served over 20 years in the U. S. Air Force. Upon retirement, at the rank of Major, he completed his Master’s degree in Meteorology at the University of Missouri, Columbia where he also worked for the Meteorology Department. Wayne went on to work for the meteorological library at Scott Air Base. After retiring from civil service, he volunteered as the head of the Retiree Support Center at Scott Air Base.

Wayne was an active Scoutmaster for his two sons’ Boy Scout troop. Wayne contracted a form of debilitating spinal arthritis in his mid 30’s and despite the limitations the disease inflicted upon him he would go camping, hiking, canoeing with his boys and their troop, never complaining of his pain and limitations. Wayne has always been a loving and supportive husband and father and grandfather to his wife Marie, sons, Kevin and Kyle, and six grandchildren.

Wayne and Marie spent many years researching genealogy and shared their knowledge and expertise with others through various genealogical society’s where they lived throughout their lives.

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Marie McCollom.

Survived by sons, Kevin McCollom, and Kyle (Christy) McCollom; six grandchildren, Nina (Forrest) Webb, Theresa McCollom, AJ McCollom, Kyle Jr. McCollom, Connie McCollom and Austin McCollom.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Presbyterian Church-Washington, 4834 S. Point Rd, Washington, MO 63090. A private interment took place Monday, Oct. 10, in the National Cemetery at Jefferson barracks in St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Air Force Assistance Fund appreciated. https://www.afassistancefund.org/index.php/donate.

AIR FORCE

ASSISTANCE FUND

AFPC/DP3SA

550 C STREET WEST

JBSA-RANDOLPH, TX 78150

Condolences may be sent to Kyle McCollom, 1810 Shield Ct. 1534, Lake Sherwood, MO 63357