Robert 'Bob' James McCullough

Robert 'Bob' James McCullough, 80, passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2014 in Moses Lake, WA.

Born at home during a late snowstorm on May 15, 1934 in Shelley, Idaho, Bob was the son of Martin and Virginia (Simpkins) McCullough. He had wonderful childhood memories of his many adventures along the banks of the Snake River that flowed behind his house. Bob also fondly recalled the summers he spent starting at 14 years of age when he tended to sheep in the hills around Dillon, Montana to make money.

After graduating high school, Bob followed his sister Betty and brother Martin out to Prosser, Washington where he lived and worked for a short time. He entered the Army in 1956 where he served active duty for 2 years and then remained in the reserves until 1962.

He moved to Othello, in 1958, where he worked part-time for his brother-in-law and lifetime close friend, Ed McKay. He spent the majority of his time doing construction for George Walker Construction. He worked on many projects including local area dams, the Wahluke Canal, and many areas of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. He continued in construction for many winters after he started farming full time to supplement his income.

In 1962, he bought his farm on LeMaster Road where he lived and farmed for 45 years. After moving to Othello, he met local girl Shirley Jean Vietzke and they married on Dec. 11, 1964. Together they raised potatoes, beans, hay, corn, apples and two daughters on their farm. Their oldest daughter, Lisa Marie was born in 1966, followed by Patricia Lynn in 1969.

Throughout his life, Bob was involved with many organizations and past-times. He became a member of the Othello Rodeo Association starting in 1960 and was always proud to promote the Adams County Fair and Rodeo. He opened Bob's Used Auto Sales in 1976, mostly to satisfy his ongoing love for cars and trucks. Bob also served on the Adams County Planning Committee and on the Pilgrim Lutheran Building Committee. In his spare time over the years, he enjoyed skiing, boating, learning to fly, cooking and spending time with his family and friends.

Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean and his two daughters Tricia McCullough of Quincy, WA and Lisa Karstetter and her husband Kent of Quincy, WA; 3 grandsons, Robert "Mitchell" Karstetter, Austin James Karstetter and Braden Thomas Karstetter all of Quincy; his sister, Phyllis Tallant of Boise, Id and numerous special nieces and nephews. His son, Kevin Bruce McCullough, his parents, his sister Betty McKay and his brother Martin McCullough, precedes him in death.

Always the joker with a kind word and smile for anyone that met him, he touched the hearts of many. He will be greatly missed and thought of often, but he will live on forever in our stories and memories of this wonderful man.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, September 6, at 2 pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 640 Elm Street, Othello, WA. At his request an Irish celebration wake will take place at the family home immediately following the service. This will be a time for people to laugh, joke, hug and celebrate life just as Bob would have wanted.

Memorials are suggested to, (because of his love of animals) the Adams County Pet Rescue, ACPRPets.com, P.O. Box 311, Ritzville, WA 99169 in Bob's name to or to a favorite charity of your choice. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel. To leave a note for the family, view the guest book or order flowers please visit stevensfuneralchapel.com.