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to
Permian High School
Class of 1974
We're proud to celebrate our roots in Odessa, Texas
Mailding Adress: PO Box 74 Graford, TX 76449
We are all blessed in knowing each other and even though we are apart,
there remains a huge network of love and support from each of us to one
another out there across the country. Always know that no matter what,
you are loved, you are cared for by those of us who grew up together and
who have made it down the path of life so far in our lives.
RECTOR CHOC MCCOLLUM
08.25.1956 - 07.16.2025
Plano, TX - Rector Choc McCollum passed away 16 July 2025. Rector was born in Odessa, Ector County Texas on 25 August 1956. He graduated from Permian High School in 1974 and Texas State University in 1978 with a degree in criminal justice.
Rector's family came to Texas in 1834 and participated in the Texas Revolution. His family came to West Texas in 1871 and to Ector County in 1883. The McCollum’s have a long history of upholding the law, either as attorneys or as law enforcement officers, and Rector was no exception. Rector's great grandfather, James Washington "Wash" McCollum, served as a Texas Ranger from 1871 to 1877 and was a veteran of the "Indian War". Rector's great uncle, Claude Jackson McCollum, was sheriff of Gaines County, and his great uncle, John Wyley McCollum, was sheriff of Upton County. Rector's father, Paul McCollum, was an attorney and judge, and his sister, Kathleen McCollum McCulloch, is a practicing attorney. Rector's cousin, Nathan Foreman, is a police officer with the Dallas Police Department. Rector served the Dallas Police Department with distinction and received many commendations during his 33-year career.
Rector began his career with Dallas Police Department in 1980, working in the tactical and fugitive sections. In June of 1993, he was promoted to sergeant and was assigned to the Chief's office as a long-range planner. In addition to his other duties, the tactical section represents the department at ceremonial occasions like funerals. Rector participated in these ceremonies as a bagpiper. Rector once said "It makes people sad. And a funeral is the one place where sadness is appropriate, where to evoke sadness is a blessing". In 1996, the Dallas Police Association awarded Rector the Cop's Cop Officer of the Year award as a member of the Northeast Division. On February 19, 2013, Rector was recognized again as Officer of the Year for 2012. Rector retired from the Dallas Police Department on 9 April 2013.
On the McCollum side of the family, Rector is survived by his sister, Kathleen McCollum McCulloch, his brother-in-law/cousin, Michael McCollum McCulloch, DVM, his daughter, Kathleen Hannah McCollum, his son, Travis Paul McCollum, and many wonderful cousins. On his mother side, he is survived by his Aunt, Linda Lou Holland, and her daughter, Kristina Suzanne Upsons (nee Cambridge), and her husband, Sven.
Rector is preceded in death by his father, Paul McCollum, and his mother, Alice Sandra Holland McCollum (nee Leake). He is also preceded in death by his wife, Jill McCollum (nee Mowery).
Rector will be dearly missed by his family, friends and colleagues, and will live forever in ou