Ronald Gene McCollum

Ronald (Ronnie) Gene McCollum, age 69, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was called home peacefully on May 20, 2021, after a four-year illness. Devoted, loving and loyal husband of 47 years to his wife Mary Gail McCollum (Morgan) spent his life being a dedicated family man. Ronnie was born December 19, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio to his late parents E. Wilburn McCollum and Edna Mae McCollum (Leece).

Ronnie was preceded in death by his beloved in-laws Farris Morgan, Sr. and Jerolene (Thompson) Morgan, his brother-in-law Farris Morgan, Jr and his siblings Kathy McCollum, Tommy McCollum, Glenn McCollum, Gene (Daisy Davidson) McCollum, and Iwin McCollum. He lost a precious niece, April Dawn Hamm (Morgan). He is survived by his sister Starla

(Andy) Griffin and his brother Ricky McCollum.

Ronnie was a loving father to is children Kim (Anthony) Girod, Kelly McCollum, and Kevin (Summer Zamorano) McCollum. Ronnie was known as Poppy to his four grandchildren and leaves behind Jett Girod, Lillian McCollum, Rock Girod, and Briella McCollum. They were the light of his life and he was so proud of them. Ronnie leaves three sisters-in-law, Linda Gossett, Angie Morgan and Marcella Morgan and one brother-in-law, Larry (Hazard) Morgan. Ronnie was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews which he loved dearly.

Ronnie was a proud 1970 graduate of Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. He was a member of DECA and was the 1970 DECA Student of the Year.

Ronnie loved Jesus and was a Christian. He was baptized at Huber Heights First Baptist church in 1993. He was a great storyteller and loved to talk about the past. He used to tell the story of how the Class of 1970 ran a male student for Homecoming Queen and he won.

Ronnie loved baseball and football and enjoyed Sports in general. He played little league as a child and he played and coached fastpitch baseball most of his life. He managed Village Super Value, Applied Mechanical and Fairborn Eagles. The Eagles finished 7th in Class E Fastpitch Nationals in 1993. He loved his players and he was well known for having knick-names for everyone, even all his children’s friends. Ronnie was inducted for his coaching skills into the Fastpitch Hall of Fame in 1997. He coached his son Kevin for many years and for a few years he coached his daughter Kim and niece April. Ronnie umped many little league games in Huber Heights Little League and local friends enjoyed watching him because he acted like a major league ump yelling loudly, “You’re Out!” Ronnie coached his team to victory in Millbanks, South Dakota at the home of the American Legion Baseball Division II in 2010. He came home with a trophy and a broken rib.

He had a very quick and witty sense of humor. He was known for his integrity and always telling the truth, no matter what. There is way too many Ronnie coined phrases to mention but one of our favorites is “you're nuttier than a fruitcake.”

Ronnie loved music and specifically the Oldies but Goldies. He loved Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Tommy James and the Shondells to name a few. He enjoyed going to Oldie concerts and was so happy to have meet Gary Lewis several times. His love of music and all his favorite tunes will live on in his family forever.

He loved his dogs and he had a special place in his heart for his first pet, Tim the Pomeranian.

Ronnie retired from Hostess in 2008 after 30 years without one sick day. He won safe driving awards which were a source of pride for him.

Ronnie was known as the neighborhood father who played football and baseball in the street. On Thanksgiving he would organize a family football “turkey bowl.” He will be remembered for his love of playing with family and friends. Ronnie will be remembered fondly for his witty sayings, his love of family and special friends and his baseball family that remained close to him until his death, and his attitude toward life. He always said that the simple things in life are the big things in life and he was right.

In lieu of flowers, please go to dinner with your loved ones in honor of Ronnie.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the McCollum family.