Ethan Edward McCullough

Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) Ethan Edward McCullough of Madison, Tennessee, tragically died while serving his country as a Navy Corpsman in the United States Navy in Okinawa, Japan on June 15, 2023. He was 24 years old.

Born in Lebanon, Tennessee on April 22, 1999, to Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Talina Whittaker, Ethan is also survived by his siblings Matthew (Adam) Kennedy, Amber Whittaker, Chasity Whittaker, Hannah Whittaker, Rebecca Whittaker and Russell Whittaker, Junior (RJ); uncle & aunt Rev. Dr. D. Lee (Pastor Kimberly) McGahey, aunt & uncle Mrs. Angel (Joe) Green; nieces Layla Gaines, Cattelaya Fletcher and Lei'Lani Carter; cousins Princess McGahey, Bailey Sanford, Gabe Netherton, Michael Netherton and Gracie Netherton, and Jarrett Brumley, Troy Brumley and Dylan Brumley; and many other beloved extended family and dear friends, especially Thomas Duncan, Jackie Vickers, and Dion Lewis.

His love for football seemed to follow him throughout his life, from his days with the South Nashville Sooners little league, to playing for his alma mater at Hunter’s Lane, where Ethan would graduate in 2017. Soon after graduation, Ethan left for service in the United States Navy. Promoted last month to the rank of E-5 Petty Officer Second Class, Ethan proudly served in the US Navy for the last six years. Serving his country was something he had wanted to do since he was a very small boy. That desire to serve his country in the military would eventually allow him to fulfill his passion to travel. He took great pictures wherever he was stationed.

He was bright, energetic, and adventurous. When he was not exploring the coral reefs with sharks in Guam, you could find him composing, playing, and performing his original music at home or the latest local DJ dive spots he had discovered that were service-friendly, or you could find him cliff-diving, hiking, or camping in San Diego, all while capturing those moments through his love of photography. He enjoyed updating his social media with posts from his latest international escapade. As much of a sportsman and outdoorsman as Ethan was, he was a greater philanthropist still. He had a heart as big as Texas and would give you the shirt off of his back. He would often give to those he knew who really needed it and go without himself. If it got too bad though, he knew he was only a phone call away from any provision he needed from his mother, his father, or his Uncle Lee.

Ethan never met a stranger and if you were fortunate enough to where he liked you, you had a loyal friend for life. That loyalty began at home, as Ethan was very protective of his family, especially his younger siblings. While they could bicker and fuss from time to time as siblings do, no one else was allowed to engage anyone in his family in that manner. He will be dearly missed, and his love and memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Visitation for Ethan will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 10:00am – 2:00pm, with an onsite funeral chapel service officiated by Rev. Dr. D. Lee McGahey, Senior Pastor of Love One Another Church at 2:00pm, all at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1150 South Dickerson Pike Rd., Goodlettsville, TN. Ethan’s wishes for cremation will follow at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestLawnFuneral-Goodlettsville.com for the McCullough family.