PHILLIPS COUNTY

Colorado

 

 

 

 

Haxtun-Fleming Herald, Haxtun, CO, 30 May 2001

 

Doc McCulloch was loved by many, respected by even more. He was a man who found no fault in others and, if there were faults to be found in himself, he hid them well. He was a man who paid his debts, whether the recipient felt one was due or not. If he felt there was an obligation to repay, he found a way.

 

H was a religious man who loved his fellow man and cared about his community, starting immediately after high school when he served as a Boy Scout Master, taking trips to the mountains with his scouts.

 

His commitment to community was honored by the Haxtun Lions Club, which named him Citizen of the Year in 1976; and by the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce, that chose him to serve as grand marshal for the 65th annual Corn Festival.

 

He was a Mason for over 50 years and served on the Haxtun School Board, giving his support to the school and its students. He and his wife Edna served as chaperones for the senior sneak to Glenwood Springs, not only for their son’s class of 1959, but also for two following senior classes. In 1986, he received the Haxtun Super Booster Award for his support of the school system and the athletic programs.

 

He was a member of the Haxtun United Methodist Church for 64 years. As a church member, Doc and his family faithfully attended services every Sunday unless they were out of town or ill. He served the church in many capacities, teaching junior and senior high Sunday School for 18 years; serving as a church usher for 25 years; and giving distinction to his most cherished role, that of being selected lay leader of the congregation.

 

He particularly enjoyed giving sermons, which relied heavily upon scripture and personal life experiences, when the minister was out of town.

 

Relying heavily on scripture was not new for Doc. Reading daily from the Bible was part of his personal life until failing eyesight made it difficult. In 2000, Doc was the recipient of his church’s Quiet Disciple Award.

 

Doc McCulloch passed away at the Heritage Living Center on May 23, 2001 at the age of 87.

 

George Irvin “Doc” McCulloch was born on November 16, 1913 on a farm near Shenandoah, Iowa. He was the son of William T. and Grace (Kemp) McCulloch. The family, which included Doc’s three older brothers, Samuel, Harry and Steve, moved to Haxtun in 1918, where they farmed a section of land located one mile north of town and owned by Frank Olson.

 

Doc attended Haxtun Schools, graduating from Haxtun High School in 1932. He then attended A & M (Colorado State University) for a year on a football scholarship. However, due to financial constraints caused by the depression era, he decided that electrical school was more feasible. He worked for his brother Sam at the Motor Haven Garage in Haxtun to earn the money to attend.

 

Returning to Haxtun in 1936, Doc married his high school sweetheart, Edna Meakins. Their only child, George, was born in 1941.

 

Shortly after the beginning of World War Two, Doc was hired by Sturgeon Electric Company to work as an electrician at two army bases, one in Salt Lake City, Utah, and another in Colorado Springs. The family later returned to Haxtun where Doc continued his electrical business and additionally opened the Gamble’s Hardware Store.

 

Doc’s electrical business soon became full-time as the Rural Electric Association brought electricity to the country around Haxtun. He wired most of the surrounding farms and remained in the electrical business until he retired in 1985.

 

After he retired, he continued to help people who needed small jobs done. He took pride in his work and was a true example of the adage, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”

 

A major joy in Doc’s life was his family. Unfortunately, he lost Edna in 1982 following a long illness. However, his son’s family continued to be at the top of his priorities.

 

Survivors include his son George McCulloch and wife Barbara, Buffalo Creek; granddaughters Kim Morse and husband Dan, Colorado Springs, and Kari Gneiser and husband Robb, Bailey; two great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kaitlyn Morse, Colorado Springs; brother-in-law Jack Meakins and wife Delores, Greeley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 29, at 2 p.m. at Haxtun United Methodist Church, with burial following at the Haxtun Cemetery.

 

 

 

GEORGE IRVIN “DOC” MCCULLOCH

Family information

 

Father: William T

Mother: Grace (Kemp)

 

 

Spouse:                                  Married:  1936

 

 

Edna Meakins

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Last updated December 2018