Charles McCollum

Charles McCollum passed away after a long battle with cancer on August 4th. He is survived by his wife, Anita (Wathen) McCollum, daughters (sons-in-law) Lynn (Greg) Hall and Sandra (Nick) Short; sister Mildred Knight, brothers Robert, Loy and Hansel McCollum; granddaughters Ashley Dinan, Emily and Sarah Short; great grandson Blake Stone and many more nieces, nephews and extended family.

Charles was born the second of five children to Susie (Edwards) and Thomas Eugene McCollum in Cleveland, Georgia. He shared a close bond with his siblings as they worked hard on the family farm and experienced lifelong memories in the mountains of north Georgia.

Right after graduation from White County High School, he embarked on the adventure of a lifetime by enlisting in the United States Air Force. As an alum of the “University of Hard Knocks”, he took his assignments seriously with the continued work ethics his parents instilled throughout his career. With stations all over the world including Japan, Hawaii, Morocco, Spain and Greece, his specialty was telecommunications and communications.

He met the love of his life, Anita Claire, at Andrews AFB outside of Washington, DC through a mutual friend. They continued their journey, committed to their girls and the duty to serve.

After twenty years serving in the military, Charles retired in 1974 at Fort Meade and bought the house in Jessup where he lived for the rest of his life. He settled into a career with the federal government, ultimately retiring from the Social Security Administration. He could not sit still after that, driving the Airport Shuttle for his pocket "jingles" he loved to share with his grandchildren and dutifully volunteering at the USO at Baltimore Washington Airport, greeting the weary military passing through.
Charles was passionate about golf, much to Anita's chagrin, as was evidenced by the two holes in one in his lifetime. He loved any games involving competition, including basketball, pool, and bowling.

He was well known for his sense of humor, ability to be the life of the party (including King of the Jitterbug) and memorable pranks. But he was also a very compassionate person, as witnessed by those close to him (or not), on countless occasions. Everyone one who knew him has a story!

Relatives and friends may call at the Hardesty Funeral Home, P.A. 851 Annapolis Road on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church 7850 Parkside Blvd, Hanover, MD 21076 on Saturday August 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery, Crownsville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in his name to: USO BWI Airport Lounge, P.O. Box 416, Linthicum, MD 21090. Donations may also be made on the USO general website, uso.org.