Robert McCullough of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2021. He was born January 19, 1956, in San Diego, California, where his father was stationed, and grew up in Oklahoma City, graduating from Capitol Hill High School. His employment was primarily in maintenance, first with Oklahoma County and then with the State of Oklahoma, concluding his career in the job he loved most as the Events Coordinator at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Robert was particular about punctuality and preparedness and took pride in making sure the tables, chairs and speakers’ podiums were correctly and timely configured for the numerous public events held in the State Capitol Rotunda. In his spare time and in retirement Robert enjoyed: daily prayer, meditation and Rosary; teaching himself Spanish by daily watching Spanish television for more than 20 years; practicing tai chi; reading, walking, sketching; watching old movies and comedies; sharing meals with family and friends; staying in contact with his son, grandson, siblings and many aunts, uncles, cousins; attending meetings of the Friends of Bill; attending Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Robert loved life and loved living.
Robert did not have a fancy education or degrees. Instead, Robert possessed an innate sense of what is truly important in life, along with a steely determination to always do the right thing, and to be gentle and kind in his dealings with his fellow human beings, no matter how inconvenient or difficult. Robert dealt with cancer for 8 years, serving as an inspiration to others for his ability to face with dignity, grace and uncommon equanimity the many challenges that his 2 primary cancers and treatment presented. He remained in the present and sober through it all. He never complained.
Robert is survived by his wife and soulmate (Robert was 95% sure about the soulmate part), Martha Kulmacz, his beloved son, Scott McCullough, of Lake Wales, Florida, and cherished grandson, Alex McCullough, of Illinois; his siblings Jeff McCullough and Carmelita Lanzner of Midwest City, OK; nephew Devin (Megan) Cloninger and niece Brandi (Robyn) Cunningham; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, not the least of whom was his weekly companion at Mass and Rosary, Aunt Sue Hay. Robert said his in-laws felt like siblings to him: Richard (Sianny The) Kulmacz, William (Vivien) Kulmacz, Jim Kulmacz, Rita (Dale) Miller. Robert was preceded in death by his mother, Betty McCullough, and his father, Robert (“Bob”) McCullough.
Robert was especially grateful for the attentive medical care, support, love and quality of life he received from Integris Baptist Medical Center and Integris Cancer Institute physicians and staff: Dr. Thomas Showalter, Dr. Robert Gaston, Dr. Allen Molloy, Dr. John Duffy and Oncology Nurse Allison Ellis. He was also grateful for the unwavering love and support of his many friends and relatives.
So that his son and grandson may attend, a Funeral Mass followed by a celebration of Robert’s life will not be held until June, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert McCullough’s memory to: Integris Cancer Institute, c/o Integris Health Foundation, 5300 N. Independence Avenue, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home in Chickasha, Oklahoma.