John Milton McCullars, age 89, passed from this life on February 25, 2018 in Springfield, MO.  John was born on September 23, 1928 in Bay, Arkansas, the son of Warren F. and Grace Willis McCullars.  He leaves behind Lois, his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, of Springfield, MO; his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Gayle McCullars of Conway, AR; his grandchildren Shawn McCullars of Chicago, IL, David McCullars of Austin, TX, and Elizabeth (McCullars) Smyers of Conway, AR; his twin great-grandchildren Eyan and Chloe McCullars of Austin, TX; two sisters-in-law, Frankie Beavers of Springfield, MO and Edna McCullars of El Dorado, AR; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Warren McCullars, and older half sister Wilma Choate.

John's formative years were spent growing up with his mother, brother, and extended family on a farm in southeast Arkansas learning the importance of hard work, being responsible, love of learning, instilling of Christian faith, and the importance of family – all values that would be important throughout his life.

John's first job was during high school working at the Coca-Cola plant in Monticello, AR for 40 cents an hour.  He played football and graduated from Drew Central High School south of Monticello, AR in 1946.  He enlisted immediately in the U.S. Army Air Corps, rose to the rank of Sergeant, and was stationed at air bases in Illinois, Kansas, England and Okinawa before being honorably discharged three years later from the new U.S. Air Force.  In June 1949, he met his future wife on a bus while both were returning to their respective homes.  That Fall, John attended college at Arkansas A&M College (now U.A.-Monticello) and then transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville a year later before proposing and marrying Lois Taylor on Christmas eve 1950. They moved to Fayetteville where John completed his Bachelor of Science degree in January 1954. He eventually obtained his Master of Science degree in 1969 from Drury College in Springfield, MO.

John did whatever it took to provide for his family while also doing what he loved – teaching.  He was a high school math teacher all of his life, starting in Valley Springs (AR) where he also coached girl's basketball, in Crossett (AR) where also drove a school bus, at Central High School in Little Rock (AR) during the Integration years of the late 1950s while also working in a bakery at nights, and at Parkview High School from 1959 until his retirement in 1989 in Springfield, MO, where he was also a part-time teacher at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield in the 1960s.  He simply loved helping people to learn.

John's Christian faith was important to him.  He was an active member and deacon at First Baptist Church and later University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield.  He was very involved in youth mission trips and children's summer camps, serving much of the time as a counselor, bus driver, and camp cook along with Lois.  Through the years, his "kids" greatly admired and respected him and still to this day call him "Papa John".  He supported mission work helping build a church in Brazil and putting together care packages at Springfield's Convoy of Hope in later years.

John and Lois loved traveling, especially in their fold-down, pop-up camper in the Rocky Mountains.  During their years together, they hiked the Grand Canyon seven times (after age 50 and once with their grandsons), saw all of the United States, and visited 17 countries outside the U.S.  During his life, John loved hunting, fishing, canoeing and golfing with his son.  He loved crossword puzzles and was a voracious reader, especially western novels, until his massive stroke in 2014.  He lived his last 3 years in a nursing home, making the best of things with a cheerful spirit and smile.  He was greatly loved and respected and will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, loyal friend, and great role model to so many.

The family would like to especially thank all of the many friends and family throughout his life, as well as the many who continued to visit him in his last years along with the dedicated employees at Glendale Gardens for their exceptional care while he was a resident there.

A Visitation will be at University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, MO Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 10 to 11:00 a.m. with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, MO.  Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.gormanscharpf.com.

To remember and honor the life and legacy of John McCullars, please make any memorial gifts to the University Heights Baptist Church Foundation (1010 S. National, Springfield, MO 65804),or the American Heart and Stroke Associations (donatenow.heart.org).

______________________________________________________________________________

At times like this, finding the right words to say can be nearly impossible.  But often the words of a song can best express our thoughts and feelings.  Here are two songs that I think help in that way.  Dad, I know that I told you that I loved many times while I could.  But right now I can only shed tears.  In Ireland, a traditional and loving reference to a man's father is to call him "My Old Man".  A song of the same name deeply expresses what I feel and wish I could sing to you.

The tears have all been shed now.  We've said our last goodbyes.
His soul's been blessed, he's laid to rest, and it's now I feel alone.

As a boy he'd take me walking by mountain field and stream,
and he showed me things not known to kings and secret 'tween him and me.

I thought he'd live forever; he seemed so big and strong,
but the minutes fly and the years roll by for a father and a son.

And suddenly when it happened, there was so much left unsaid –
no second chance to tell him thanks for everything he's done.

He was more than just a father – a teacher, my best friend.

I never will forget him for he made me "what I am".
Though he may be gone, memories linger on,

and I miss him – my old man.

The second song expresses how I know my mother and I felt about dad as we knew that he was always there for us.

Always There

When I am less than I should be and I just can't face the day,
when darkness falls around me and I just can't find my way,
when my eyes don't clearly see and I stumble through it all,
it's you I lean upon, you keep me strong, and you raise me when I fall.

When life brings me to my knees, when my back's against the wall,
you are standing there right with me just to keep me standing tall.
Though a burden I may be, you don't weary, you don't rest,
you are reaching out to carry me, and I know I'm heaven blessed.

You are there when I most need you.  You are there so constantly.
You come shining through, you always do. You are always there for me.