Howard Wayne McCollum's Obituary
Howard Wayne McCollum age 68, formally of Loves Park, Illinois, unexpectedly went to be with our Lord on October 24, 2022. Born in Beckley, West Virginia on November 23, 1953. Married his soulmate Debra on February 22, 1975, in Round Lake, Illinois.
Predeceased in death by his daughter, Megan Savage, Father Daniel McCollum, Mother Thelma (Perkins) McCollum, sister Donna McCollum, special MawMaw Pauline Perkins, Grandfather Howard Perkins.
He has left behind his wife Debra (Russell), daughter Heather (Mike) Morgan, grandchildren Keri Smith, Cory Smith, Melanie Morgan, Michael (Mikey) Morgan, brother Mark (Denise) McCollum, Brothers-in-law Phil Russell, Robert Russell and Sisters-in-law Cynthia Thomas, Tamela Mather, Ruth Ellen Martinez, and Lisa (Dave) Nolley. He also had many nieces and nephews, his special little buddy nephew Markie McCollum and several great nieces and nephews.
Wayne (as he was called by family and friends) was the son of a father who was career army. As a result, he developed a love of traveling. He and his wife Debra enjoyed traveling to many different states in their RV and Wayne especially loved the water and cruises.
Wayne touched many lives throughout his life. He greatly loved and enjoyed young people and was called by Dad or PaPa by friends of his children and grandchildren. In his younger days, he was involved as a youth sponsor at Harlem Road Christian Church. He later became the softball coach for the men’s softball team to which many of the young men would see him as their mentor. He loved his God and became a Deacon at Harlem Road Christian Church in Loves Park, Illinois.
He served in the U.S. navy during the Vietnam conflict. Even though the Navy did not send him to Vietnam, he served on a minesweeper in Hawaii which was used as a training ship. Wayne was very proud of his ability to serve his country and had many fond memories of his service. He was often known to speak of his experiences, especially the humorous ones.
Wayne worked as a pump mechanic for Rock Valley Pump in Loves Park, Illinois for 31 years.
After his retirement Wayne and his wife Debra moved to Florida. He continued to stay active especially with young people through his grandchildren. Wayne was the one who everyone depended on for transportation, therefore he was usually seen with a carload of young people traveling from one school event to another. He became deeply involved with the Pinellas Park High School girls basketball team, becoming their official scorekeeper and biggest fan. He was known by all of them as PaPa.
Wayne also developed some very special friendships with Carmen and Elsie Bonnarigo of Largo, Florida and Curt and Cheryle Navickis of Loves Park, Illinois. He developed some very special friends through the chair volleyball team at the Largo Community Center.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2nd at 3 PM at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Navy honor guard and Chaplain John Holbert will be officiating.
Following the service, there will be a celebration of his life at the Village on the Green clubhouse in Clearwater scheduled at 4:30 PM. All are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the family.
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