David Manley McCollam of Greenville went home to be with the Lord on the morning of November 25 only 6 days after his 91st birthday. Graveside services are scheduled for Saturday, November 28 at 1 p.m. at Memoryland Cemetery. There will be a brief visitation from 12 noon to 12:45 at Coker Mathews. Please wear your mask and observe a safe social distance.
He was born November 19, 1929 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Tx to Edward E. and Jessie I. (Owings) McCollam. He grew up in Greenville, Tx where he attended and graduated from Greenville High School in 1947. He served 2 years in the National Guard, Company A 3-144 and then joined the U.S. Army and served 4 years and then continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves for several more years. He married Jo Shirleye Boose in Greenville on October 12, 1958 and they made their home in the house located behind the old Stinson’s Conoco at the corner of Lee and Walnut where they welcomed their only child, David Byron McCollam. If you ever went to the Sabine Valley for ice cream you would see David working at the gas station across the street as he worked there while he served in the Guard and attended ETSU to further his education. He graduated in 1960 with a Masters in Industrial Technology after attaining a Bachelor Degree in Mathematics.
Upon completion of his education he went to work at Temco (many remember it as the bomber plant) and worked as an Engineer until he retired from Raytheon in 1995. After retirement he spent most of his time caring for his elderly parents and his in laws as well. He was much beloved by many and was known to take care of his great nephews and watch over other kids in the neighborhood as well. David truly appreciated the opportunity to fix anything (from furniture to engines). He also loved nothing better than shopping at the Goodwill with whoever would go. You never knew what treasures he would find AND if you didn’t go, those treasures ended up at your house!
David was one of the most generous people his family and friends would ever meet. His hands and heart were always open and he was ever willing to help someone else – especially those in need. He and Shirleye were early benefactors in Women in Need and other charitable organizations.
David is survived by his son, David B. McCollam of Fort Worth, brother in law John (Debbie) Boose, nephew Joe Ayers of Waco, nieces Leslie (Phillip) Killgore of Greenville and Brenda (Mike) Parsell of Sugar Hill, Georgia, great nephews Ethan Killgore of Dallas, Joseph (Christina) Killgore and their four children (Eli, Lincoln, Carter and Kate) of Greenville, Billy (Johna) Rush of Folkston, GA and Guy Rush and his son, Bing of Dawsonville, GA, cousins Dana Hohnenstein of Portland, Oregon and Brooke Cortes (Adriana and Brooklyn Cortes) of Battleground, Washington. Others that survive and mourn his passing are long time friend and helper, Grady Sampson as well as Johnny and Joyce Morris, Jocelyn Morris Toliver and Kelly Morris for their constant care given to David over the past 32 months in his home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Shirleye as well as his sister and brother in law Lou and Paul Ayers and his sister and brother in law Paula Boose Backus and Henry Ray Backus. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or Women in Need (or your favorite charity) since generous giving was such a part of his life.
