Jerry William McCullough

Jerry McCullough of Bloomington, Indiana died on February 14, 2021 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis after a brief illness. Born July 24, 1939 in Brazil, Indiana, to Howard McCullough and Mary (Dehler) McCullough, he was one of seven children. Jerry graduated from Brazil High School in 1957. He attended Indiana State University, then embarked on a career in business. In 1963, while working as a salesman at Rough Notes Publishing Company in Indianapolis, he met Phyllis Arthur, a secretary there. They married a few months later and celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in November 2020. Jerry was a member of the Indiana National Guard from 1962 to 1968. After moving to Bloomington with his young family in 1972, Jerry began working in the computer industry as a pioneer in early business computing systems. He was the founder and president of Data Solutions, a Cook Group Subsidiary, where he was instrumental in computerizing Cook Incorporated and the Cook Group Companies. He retired from Data Solutions in 1986 to follow his passion for film and music, opening Classical Film and Music at Fountain Square in downtown Bloomington. The store was his true dream job, where he got to spend his days with local arts buffs, film and music professors at Indiana University, and renowned musicians passing through town on tour. When he closed his store in 2001, he donated his music collection to Indiana State University and his film collection to the IU Wells Library. In retirement, Jerry enjoyed jazz and movies of all kinds; good food and travel; Friday night dinners with his close group of friends and golf every Wednesday with his favorite foursome. He was a huge supporter of Indiana University: In addition to serving on the IU LIbrary Dean’s Advisory Board for six years, he was a longtime member of the IU Alumni Association and the IU Varsity Club and an ardent fan of the Indiana Hoosiers. Jerry was also a philanthropist who donated generously to causes supporting the arts, equity, and social justice. In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Jerry is survived by his two daughters, Julie (Tom Oling) Polito of Denver, Colo. and Elizabeth (Erik) Stelle of Bloomington; his grandchildren, Connor Stelle, Gianni Polito, Lucy Stelle, and Finn Polito; his sisters, Anne Sanders of Brazil, Janet John of Brooklyn, NY, and Sharon Anderson of Zionville; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Mary Kay Smith and Patty Cornforth; and brother Tom McCullough. Because of COVID-19, funeral and memorial services will be held at a future date, when we can gather to celebrate his enormous heart, sense of humor, and love of life in the way that he would have wanted. If friends so desire, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Indiana University Library or the Indiana University Varsity Club for either send to I.U. Foundation, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com