James McCollum

PADUCAH, Ky. -- James McCollum, 87, of Paducah, formerly of Cairo, Ill., died Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah.

McCollum attended Cairo schools. He served in World War II, taking part in the battle of Saipan. McCollum graduated from Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, Ind., with a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity, the Elks Club and Cairo Baptist Church.

McCollum worked as an engineer with the FAA and was chief engineer in the data processing department of the Franklin Life Insurance Co. of Springfield, Ill. He worked on the first Univac computer. McCollum retired from Franklin Life as a department manager of records management in 1989 and moved to Cairo, Ill.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Groves McCollum; a son, Dr. Gregory McCollum of Gibsonia, Pa.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Services will be private.

Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.