Milo Dean McCollom

Milo Dean McCollom, age 81, died early Friday morning, October 17, 2014, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade, Kansas.

He was born January 29, 1933, at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, the son of Thomas Henry and Fannie Mae (Proffitt) McCollom. As a young boy he attended the Boise City school system, graduating from Boise City High School in 1952. On December 5, 1952, he married Alvita Joyce Cullins at Boise City. In March, 1953, he joined the Untied States Army, serving until March, 1955, during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he furthered his education by attending Panhandle State University, Goodwell, Oklahoma, receiving his Bachelors degree in industrial arts. He later attended Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he received his Masters degree in 1962. Upon his graduation he began his teaching career at the Plainview School in rural Texhoma, where he taught for two years before moving to Plains, Kansas, in 1961. He taught in the Plains school system from 1961-1972. He later worked as a carpenter, a compliance officer for National Beef in Liberal and for SSDI.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Plains; Fargo Masonic Lodge, Liberal; was a former school bus driver; had managed the Plains City Pool for many years; and in the early 1960’s, he acquired his private pilots license. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, elk hunting, walking, the outdoors, cards, playing dominos, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by:

His wife, Alvita McCollom of Plains, Kansas

Four daughters, Debra Sue Novinger and husband Brian of Omaha, Arkansas

Teresa Lynn Howard and husband Bruce of Shell Knob, Missouri

Barbara Kay “Barbie” Nash and husband Craig of Plains, Kansas

Michelle D’Ann Riggins and husband Travis of Wichita, Kansas

Twelve grandchildren Seventeen great-grandchildren Two great-great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charles, William, and Dale McCollom; two sisters, Lahoma Herron and Fannie Mae Lasher; two grandchildren, Brandi Utz-Hoyt and Terra Cox; and a great-grandchild, Jax Cole Utz-Hoyt.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, October 20, 2014, at the Southwestern Heights High School Auditorium, rural Plains. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Plains Cemetery, Plains.

The family would welcome memorials to the First Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com