Francis "Skip" McCullough Jr., of Ellicott City, died July 22, 2008, of lung cancer, at his residence. He was 85.

Born March 23, 1923, in Grey's, now Ellicott City, to Francis Sr. and Mary Eleanor Murphy McCullough, he attended Catonsville High School.

He attended Catonsville Community College in the 1970s where he was studying building inspection.

Mr. McCullough was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943 and went to Jacksonville, Fla., where he completed basic training. He trained in aviation ordinance and became a third class petty officer and was assigned to a ship whose destination was unknown. He discovered upon arrival that the ship traveled to Recife, Brazil.

Soon after, he returned to Jacksonville where he taught automatic pilot stabilizing using bombing approachment equipment until he was honorably discharged in 1954.

Mr. McCullough worked as a printing plant mechanic for the federal government in Fort Meade for more then 20 years and retired in the early 1970s. He later worked as a building inspector for the Howard County government for 12 years.

Family members recall that he led two Boy Scout troops to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, N.M., in 1974 and 1976, when his sons were scouts. His involvement with Boy Scouts was a highlight of his life, family members said.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting, bowling, camping and golf.

Mr. McCullough was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served in many offices of the VFW Post 7472 in Ellicott City, including as commander.

He was predeceased by a sister, Mary "Betty" Pfeiffer; and three brothers, Harold "Mike" E. McCullough, John "Jack" O. McCullough and George "Bill" McCullough.

In addition to his wife of more than 50 years, the former Ruth Kolb, Mr. McCullough is survived by a daughter, Mary Ellen Dawson, of Olympia, Wash.; two sons, F. Albert McCullough III, of Denton, and David McCullough, of Ellicott City; a sister, Victorine L. Tucker, of Ellicott City; three brothers, Patrick O. McCullough, of Ellicott City and San Diego, Samuel W. McCullough, of Swanton, and Frank O. McCullough, of Ellicott City; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was held July 26, 2008, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Ellicott City.

Interment was private.

Memorial donations may be made to Pastor Payne Scholarship Fund, First Lutheran Evangelical Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042.

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