Rodney Lawrence McCollum Sr. Big Rod
Rodney Lawrence McCollum Sr. "Big Rod"
Rodney Lawrence McCollum Sr. “Big Rod,” 77, of Dixon, Mont. passed away March 21, 2012 at his home.
Rodney was born March 15, 1935 in Missoula to Eurcle and Mary (Majewski) McCollum. He was raised in St. Ignatius. To help support his siblings, he began working at a young age driving a team of horses for the Jesuits. He married Doris DeMerle Evans in 1954 and started a family.
Rodney worked in the mining and construction industries, operating machinery. After helping build Tiber Dam, he began hauling logs. Logging jobs led him to live and work in Libby, Potomac, Superior, Arcata, Calif. and Polson. Continuing to log, he moved his family to Arlee and started to ranch.
Rodney established his own Angel Trucking and finally settled in Dixon at the Selow Creek Ranch with Doris and their five children. After raising a family, he transitioned from logging to over-the-road trucking until he retired. Often accompanied by Doris and his grandchildren, he enjoyed sightseeing and traveling the country.
Big Rod thoroughly enjoyed outings with his family. He liked hunting, fishing, swimming and going boating as well as riding his horses, snowmobiles and motorcycles. He also liked to go bowling and take Doris out on the town dancing.
Rod had a passion for vehicles and traveling, acquiring several cars, jeeps, tractors, trucks and motorhomes. In his later years, he continued to enjoy sightseeing and family outings, taking his grandkids to Fairmont, Pend Oreille and state parks. His hobbies included reading, finding a good deal, traveling to auctions or just going out to dinner. One could definitely say that he had a passion for the road, always wanting to travel somewhere.
Rodney was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, his brother, Richard, and niece, Stacy.
Rodney is survived by his children: Mildred (Rio) Liberty of Dixon, Rodney (Melanie) McCollum of Dixon, Donna Arnonne of Las Vegas, Nev.; Yvonne Dennis of Dixon, Brian McCollum of Dickinson, N.D.; siblings Patricia Gergen of Bellevue, Wash.; Ernest McCollum of Huson, Carol Rektor, Robert McCollum, and Joseph McCollum all of Spokane, Wash.
Services were held Monday, March 26 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in St. Ignatius, at 1 p.m. Condolences can be left at fosterfhandcrematory.com