Robert Merrill McCollum, 72, of Gardner, Kansas, passed away on October 12, 2024, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He gave so much of himself to us, and the family is devastated that such a kind, creative, and loving soul has left this earth.
Rob was born January 22, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Walter Leroy & Nela Mae (Rodgers) McCollum. He graduated from Shawnee Heights High School in 1970.
Rob married Lora Jane Lewis in Olathe, Kansas, on July 29, 1972. They had been married for forty-three years when Lora preceded him in death on October 7, 2015. Rob and Lora shared two children: Brandon Michael McCollum and Jeffrey Allen McCollum.
Later in life, Rob was fortunate enough to fall in love with Sharmen Sue Wright, and he went on to marry her on May 4, 2019. They shared a home outside Gardner, Kansas. They liked traveling, gardening, and spending time with family.
Rob worked for Cities Service Gas Company (now Southern Star Gas Company) for thirty-eight years, retiring from there in 2011. For over thirty years, Rob also had an upholstery business in addition to his normal day job.
Rob especially liked riding his motorcycle and working on classic cars. He enjoyed driving his 1956 Chevy Bel Air and taking it to car shows.
Rob was a member of New Life Community Church in Gardner. He served as a deacon and was an important member of the men’s Bible study group.
Remaining to cherish Rob’s memory are his spouse, Sharmen Sue Wright McCollum; children Brandon (Karen) McCollum and Jeffrey (Stacy) McCollum; grandchildren Ty (Lauren) Thorp, Tyler (Karie) McCollum, Chance Thorp, Austin McCollum, Jarit (Alexis) Sparks, Carter McCollum, Ryan McCollum, and Emma McCollum; ten great-grandchildren; brothers Rodger (Tina) McCollum and Rodney McCollum; nieces and nephews Scott (Heather) McCollum, Drew (Melody) McCollum, and Sara (Miguel) McCollum.
Preceding Robert in death are his spouse Lora McCollum and parents Walter Leroy McCollum and Nela Mae McCollum.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 26 at 10 AM at the New Life Community Church, 29200 W 188th St., Gardner, KS 66030. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM in the same location. Interment will be at 2:30 PM in Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th, Topeka, KS 66606.
Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be directed to the New Life Community Church of Gardner, Kansas and may be left in care of the church or the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.