Lindel Harding McCullough

    Lindel H. McCullough, 96, of Salem, AR went to be with the Lord on November 26, 2016. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, rancher, World War II veteran, a great man of extraordinary faith and a pillar of integrity and strength. He was born September 4, 1920 in Bexar, AR to William F. and Mary Jane White McCullough. His childhood was spent in rural, economically deprived conditions in Fulton County, Arkansas. His surroundings and situations offered many memorable accountings of episodes and shenanigans with his six siblings with whom he had a formidable and lifelong bond.  His classroom education ended with the eighth grade, yet he completed his GED diploma later while working in the CCC.  His desire to read and learn never ended.  Agriculture literature and magazines were lifelong study materials in his home.  He was a daily and avid newspaper reader. He and his brothers held many jobs as boys and young men, sometimes local, sometimes traveling to states far away, alone or with the whole family. A favorite entertaining story his family loved to hear told was about a trip to Michigan to pick fruit for a harvest season; it was quite the journey and adventure. Prewar employment in the CCC, as for so many others, helped to give him an important advancement in life.  He proudly served during World War II in the Battery C 250th Field Artillery Battalion, US Army, from January 1943 until November 1945 earning the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, 44 Good Conduct Medal, and American Theater Service Medal 45.  After his military service he continued to serve his country by staying in Europe and working for the United Nations, helping resettle misplaced persons by assisting in transport, housing and placement.   During his military work and with his position with the United Nations he saved and sent home money to help support his parents and to purchase the family farm that his grandfather McCullough had once homesteaded.  A prolific story teller, he told many tales about his years in the service, spending more than a year sleeping in fox holes, driving large trucks over the Alps in feet deep snow, surviving many battles, and traveling across Europe. Once asked why he left Europe to come home, demonstrating his strong love for his family, be replied, “Because I had not seen my brothers in more than five years.” He met and married the love and joy of his life, Lea Golden Davis, of Elizabeth, AR in 1950. Their marriage of 66 years was built on a mutual love and respect.  Together they built a family of devotion and a legacy family farm that has supported three current generations.  They were recognized as the Farm Family of the Year, Fulton County, in 2001.  A hard worker always, his life and family success was the subject of a documentary by IBM Corporation as a Family of Inspiration.  Along with farming he worked with the USDA Soil Conservation Service for 33 years.  He enjoyed knowing and working with local farmers in Futon County for farm improvement. He is predeceased by his father and mother, sister Myrtis, brothers Richard, Arlin, Earl, Harlin and sister Nadine. Survivors include sons David McCullough (Crata) of Little Rock and Kenny McCullough (Cindy) of Salem, daughters Vicki McCullough (Roger) of Parker, TX, Joyce Taylor (Johnny) and Carol Stephens (Witt), both of Little Rock. His grandchildren include Miles and Claire McCullough, Flint McCullough, Sarah Perryman (Dustin), Jody Foust (Stephen), Michael and Les (Kristy) Taylor, Arden and Witt III Stephens and great grandchildren Lilly, Cord and Eli McCullough and Karsyn, Bowdy, and Colt Perryman and Asher Renegar. He is also survived by many adored cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation: First Baptist Church, Salem, AR, Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Funeral Service: First Baptist Church, Salem, AR, Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating: Brother John Hodges, First Baptist Church at Salem, AR Pallbearers: Flint McCullough, Miles McCullough, Dustin Perryman, Stephen Foust, Scott Walker, Robbie Davis Funeral Service: Barker Funeral Home, Salem, AR