Douglas (Doug) McCullough of Indian Springs, Alabama died in the early morning of October 29, 2021, at age 71 after a serious medical emergency. If you asked Doug, "How are you ", the answer was always entertaining. He gave a unique response such as, "Finer than frogs hair", or "If I were any better, I'd have to be twins", or his latest, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". He gave these answers because he thought people needed a lift and maybe a moment to smile. Doug was a modern-day Renaissance man in that he had real competence in and understanding of multiple fields, all complementing each other. His broad range of interests, driven by his immense curiosity, allowed him to have a storehouse of knowledge. Just a few of the many hobbies he undertook include: musician, photographer, motorcyclist, beer brewer, cook, sourdough bread baker, drone pilot and Apple computer geek. He was an energy force to reckon with. His outgoing personality began with playing up and down the sidewalks of his neighborhood, then biking up and down the hills of Ensley to visit friends, swimming at the pool, flying model airplanes and going to the fairgrounds. He enjoyed Scouting trips, church camp and playing tuba in high school band. As a teen he started playing guitar and riding the bus to downtown Birmingham for lessons with professional musician, Irvin Payne. Once he learned a few jazz chords he became obsessed with the Great American Songbook and played gigs at every opportunity. His love of playing and listening to jazz, along with appreciating fine and handmade instruments was his greatest passion. Doug was the first child to Arthur Thurman (Mac) McCullough and Eunice Chism McCullough. He grew up in the Fairview area of Birmingham, Alabama and attended Fairview Elementary School. He attended Ensley High School and his college choice was the University of Alabama, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering on May 14, 1972. His career was with the telephone industry and encompassed 30 years as a staff manager and as he said, "Going to meetings". He retired from BellSouth Telecommunications to pursue his own projects on September 30, 2002. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Eunice McCullough. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Linda Porter McCullough of Indian Springs, Alabama, three sisters, Mary Ann Brannon (Dennis), Catherine Benefield (Steven), Wanda Shepherd, three nieces, Shelley Brannon, Emily Woods, and Joy Benefield, three nephews, Scott Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd, and Stewart Benefield, and many other loving relatives. A Celebration of Life and Reception will be held for family and friends on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Garden Center Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Masks required for entry into the Garden Center per City of Birmingham regulation. Memorial contributions may be made to Alabama State Parks Foundation, 64 North Union Street, Suite 538, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334/557-0150, www.asparksfoundation.org
Douglas (Doug) McCullough of Indian Springs, Alabama died in the early morning of October 29, 2021, at age 71 after a serious medical emergency. If you asked Doug, "How are you ", the answer was always entertaining. He gave a unique response such as, "Finer than frogs hair", or "If I were any better, I'd have to be twins", or his latest, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". He gave these answers because he thought people needed a lift and maybe a moment to smile. Doug was a modern-day Renaissance man in that he had real competence in and understanding of multiple fields, all complementing each other. His broad range of interests, driven by his immense curiosity, allowed him to have a storehouse of knowledge. Just a few of the many hobbies he undertook include: musician, photographer, motorcyclist, beer brewer, cook, sourdough bread baker, drone pilot and Apple computer geek. He was an energy force to reckon with. His outgoing personality began with playing up and down the sidewalks of his neighborhood, then biking up and down the hills of Ensley to visit friends, swimming at the pool, flying model airplanes and going to the fairgrounds. He enjoyed Scouting trips, church camp and playing tuba in high school band. As a teen he started playing guitar and riding the bus to downtown Birmingham for lessons with professional musician, Irvin Payne. Once he learned a few jazz chords he became obsessed with the Great American Songbook and played gigs at every opportunity. His love of playing and listening to jazz, along with appreciating fine and handmade instruments was his greatest passion. Doug was the first child to Arthur Thurman (Mac) McCullough and Eunice Chism McCullough. He grew up in the Fairview area of Birmingham, Alabama and attended Fairview Elementary School. He attended Ensley High School and his college choice was the University of Alabama, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering on May 14, 1972. His career was with the telephone industry and encompassed 30 years as a staff manager and as he said, "Going to meetings". He retired from BellSouth Telecommunications to pursue his own projects on September 30, 2002. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Eunice McCullough. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Linda Porter McCullough of Indian Springs, Alabama, three sisters, Mary Ann Brannon (Dennis), Catherine Benefield (Steven), Wanda Shepherd, three nieces, Shelley Brannon, Emily Woods, and Joy Benefield, three nephews, Scott Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd, and Stewart Benefield, and many other loving relatives. A Celebration of Life and Reception will be held for family and friends on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Garden Center Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Masks required for entry into the Garden Center per City of Birmingham regulation. Memorial contributions may be made to Alabama State Parks Foundation, 64 North Union Street, Suite 538, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334/557-0150, www.asparksfoundation.org
