Robert Winston McCollum

Robert Winston McCollum was born on November 16, 1925 in Clay County, Hoosier, Ill and was raised in Louisville, Ill by parents Pearl McCollum of Louisville, Ill and Gertie Franklin of Clay city.

Bob’s early years were spent serving in the Armed Forces, the Army Air Corps Dec. 14, 1943 to Dec. 13, 1945 and the Air Force June 1952 to Sept. 14, 1960.  He also attended Baylor University and University of Texas, each for 2 years.

In 1948 Bob married Eunice Bennett of Osage Texas Coryell County.  They were married for 69 years till the passing of Eunice on January 31, 2018.

By the early seventies, Bob and Eunice lived in  many places both in Louisiana and Texas, going wherever Bob’s work designing oil drilling equipment for Otis Engineering .  By the mid seventies, now living in the country outside Plano, Texas and wanting to put down roots, Bob and their older son, Winston, decided to start their own business.  McColllum’s Auto Center first opened in downtown Plano in 1976 and just 2 years later moved into their newly built expanded location on E. Parker Road.

Back in the 80’s, now retired Bob and Eunice bought and build a new home in rural Bosque County outside of Cranfills Gap.  A short time later, they gave up their beautiful hilltop view to move to Prairie Dell, Texas near Salado, Texas.  After Eunice’s passing Bob moved to Salado and lived out his remaining years with his son Les (deceased) and his partner Richard.

Bob was preceded by his wife Eunice, His son Leslie, his daughter in law Cindy.  He is survived by his son Winston now in Sherman, Texas and two grandchildren,  Brenna in Austin and Ross in Dallas who with his partner Nancy have given Bob his first great Grandson, Torin.

Bob will be buried with his wife at the Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery.