Oct. 30, 1937 ~ Sept. 28, 2024
James Edward McCullough, Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away peacefully on Sept. 28 at the age of 86 after a courageous battle against Lewy Body Dementia. Ed was born Oct. 30, 1937, at 711 Elmwood in Excelsior Springs, Mo., and was an only child born to James Finley and Leta Pearl (Crowley) McCullough.
Ed was a fourth-generation Excelsior Springs resident and graduated from Excelsior Springs High School with the class of 1955. He then went on to further his education at the University of Kansas. Ed chose love over his KU education, and after two years at KU, he was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Diane E. Robichaux, on Aug. 20, 1960. The two of them then finished their degrees at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where Ed earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in Accounting. They made their home in Excelsior Springs, where Ed joined his father’s construction business and farming operation and raised two children, Jim and Laura.
Ed shared his business expertise with various organizations, serving on various community and cooperative boards of directors throughout his life. He was a 65-year member and Past Master of the Clay No. 207 Masonic Lodge and a multi-year member of the Truman Club, which recognizes donors who support the Masonic Home with ongoing, annual giving. He was crucial to the growth of the family business in Louisiana, serving 60 years on the Board at E.G. Robichaux Co. He was a long-time member and supporter of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He was a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
In both his occupations and his hobbies, Ed loved the outdoors. He grew up fishing, hunting, raising livestock and planting gardens, and passed those loves on to his children and grandchildren. After marrying Diane, his enjoyment expanded to traveling, with frequent trips to Peter’s Sunset Beach in Minnesota, New Orleans and Palm Springs, Calif. He and Diane loved the K.C. Royals baseball, were avid square dancers, and Ed would often fill in at Diane’s weekly bridge groups (usually under protest). Like his mother, Ed was a genealogy enthusiast, spending countless hours documenting the history of his family. Ed loved having his family nearby and rarely missed the many school and summer activities of his children and grandchildren.
Ed was a pillar of reliability and patience in many lives. His unwavering presence and calm demeanor provided comfort to family and friends alike. Ed approached every challenge with grace and a thoughtful ear, always ready to lend a hand or share a word of encouragement. Though Ed was considered a man of few words, when Ed talked, everyone listened. It was the type of respect that is earned through consistently being a reliable, knowledgeable and impactful source. Deemed ‘the smartest man I know’ by many, he was full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences and could fix or build anything. His legacy of steadfastness, warmth and patience will be cherished forever by all who knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 53 years, Diane, and his sister-in-law, Jean Rene Medlock. He is survived by his son, James Eugene McCullough, and his wife, Cheri, and his daughter Laura Lee (McCullough) Williams, all of Excelsior Springs; his sister-in-law, Yvonne Parker; six grandchildren, Ryan James McCullough and wife, Kari, Kaitlyn Dionne (Williams) Hurley and husband, Alex, Connor Rhett Williams and wife Terah, Brock Andrew McCullough, and wife Morgan, Casey Thomas Williams and Makenzie Marie (McCullough) Needham and husband, Jason; and four great-grandchildren, Kinley, Aubrey, Grayden and Miller.
Family and friends may pay their respects at a visitation Oct. 1 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Bross & Spidle Chapels, 217 W. Broadway Ave., Excelsior Springs, with a special 10-minute Masonic Ceremony at 6 p.m. A celebration of Ed’s life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 2 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 404 Regent St., Excelsior Springs with interment immediately following at Masonic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Clay Lodge #207 Building Fund, P.O. Box 424, Excelsior Springs.
