Rodney “Rod” McCullough, 85, a lifelong Baker County resident and well-known livestock auctioneer and cattle rancher, died Feb. 20, 2006, at Bend.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, February 27, at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Julian Cassar of St. Francis will celebrate the Mass. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mr. McCullough was born at Baker City on Jan. 22, 1921, to Charles and Elizabeth Whited McCullough. He was the family’s youngest child. He was a graduate of St. Francis Academy.
While enrolled at Oregon State College (now Oregon State University at Corvallis), World War II began. Rod saw service as a pilot in both the Naval and Army Air Corps. Flying later proved to be of benefit as Rod traveled throughout the Pacific Northwest as a cattle auctioneer.
In 1948, Rod married Nancy Gay Russell. Their marriage last until Nancy’s death in November 2003. Mr. McCullough enjoyed his extended family and numerous friends who were thought of as family. Nancy and Rod’s home was visited constantly. They always welcomed their sons’ friends. Many will remember Rod’s laughter.
His ability to utilize humor while imploring cattle buyers to pay more always made the auction fun. Many a frustrated cow buyer was later consoled at Nancy’s dinner table.
Together, she and Rod welcomed dozens of new friends yearly on sale days. Rod’s friends found a man whose loyalty transcended the good and difficult times. He was not without a temper. He could be irascible and stubborn. He also was known as a generous person for whom to work.
Rod will be remembered for civic involvement. He was past president of the Baker County Chamber of Commerce and a supporter of the East-West Shrine Game. He served as a Baker County commissioner and was a longtime member of the Airport Commission.
He had but one single avocation: the raising and efficient marketing of commercial beef cattle. His happiest days were spent at the Shook Ranch or behind the microphone.
His skill at cooking outdoors was noteworthy. Pounded round steak, fried potatoes with onions, thick dark gravy and homemade biscuits were a regular bill of fare and Rod’s favorite meal.
Rod McCullough always sat a good horse. He was skilled as a judge of horses and threw an excellent loop at a calf’s heels.
He was a 60-year member of the Baker Elks Lodge and a Roman Catholic. He was no ordinary man, his family said.
He was world class as a practical joker. His son’s dates encountered large onions substituted for a corsage. Some unwary teetotaler received whiskey shot glasses at Christmastime and traveling companions were sometimes known to double pay for gasoline.
Survivors include their children, James of Baker City, Mike and Christina of Powell Butte and Charles of Salem; granddaughters, Rachel and Megan McCullough of Powell Butte; and grandsons, Brian McCullough of Richmond, Va., and Joseph McCullough with the American Institute of Foreign Studies in the Czech Republic, while on leave from the University of South Carolina.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 24, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
