John Sylvester Mccollom

age 82, of Delray Beach Florida, and formerly of Oakwood, died August 15, 2001 at Miami Valley Hospital. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He received his commission in 1942 at WPAFB and was a member of the Far East Air Service Command. In May of 1945, his airplane crashed in New Guinea; he was rescued in June 1945, but his twin brother was killed in the accident. In 1946 he left the service and returned to WPAFB where, except for a 21 month period of active service during the Korean War, he worked for 38 years and retired in 1980 as a member of the senior executive service. In the 1980's, he became a Vice-President of the Piper Aircraft Company, and later, a consultant with Dayton Aerospace Associates. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics, Minnesota ''M'' Club, Minnesota Alumni Association, University of Minnesota President's Club, and an Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. Preceded in death by his twin brother, Robert; his father, Rolla; his mother, Pansy; a beloved stepmother, Eva Ratliff McCollom and children, Sally Ann and Robert Wood McCollom. Survived by his wife, Betty Clarkson McCollom(''B.B.''); step-daughter, Jane F. Deuser; 3 step-sons, James C. Deuser and wife, Debbie; Robert B. Deuser and wife, Jacque; Charles W. Deuser,II and wife, Jill; five step-grandchildren, Lauren Deuser, Charles Deuser, Courtney Deuser Dienes and Robert and Curtis Deuser; and nieces, Marilyn Slayton and Dennie Scott. Memorial Services, 10:30 AM Saturday, Aug 18th at St Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 W. Dixon Ave, The Rev. John Koepke officiating. If desired friends may make donations to the Delray Beach Rotary Fund for scholarships, P.O. Box 1505, Delray Beach, FL 33444; The Air Force Museum Foundation, P. O. Box 33624, WPAFB, OH 45433; University of Minnesota Foundation Scholarship Fund, School of Aerospace Engineering, 200 Oak St. S.E., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010. Condolences may be sent to the Routsong Funeral Home website, via the guestbook, at www.routsong.com.

Visitation:
US
No Visitation

Funeral Home:
Oakwood Routsong Funeral Home
6 Oakwood Ave.
Oakwood, OH
US 45409