Joe Neil McCollum

Joe Neil McCollum, age 60, of Coker, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 at DCH Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Northport Baptist Church with Jimmy Bowers, Tuscaloosa Fire Chaplain Terry Jacobs, officiating, and Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lowell McCollum.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene Lloyd McCollum of Coker; daughter, Meg McCollum Lightsey, (T.C.) of Northport; sisters, Joyce Snowden (Jim) of Sylacauga, and Janice McCollum; parents James and Mary McCollum; and grandchild, Reagan Leigh Lightsey. Joe retired at the rank of Captain from the Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Service in March 2008 after 31.5 years of service. He was a founding member of Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Dive Team and currently worked at Central Alabama Training Solution and Pro Diving Services. He was a devoted husband and father that always expressed his love for his three girls and never missed a day telling them how much he loved them. He was the best poppa to his precious miracle, Reagan. He was lovingly known as "Fireman Joe" and "Joe Cool" by all who knew him.

Special thank you to Chief Bart Marshall and members of Northport Fire and Rescue, Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue 21, and doctors and ER staff of DCH Regional Medical Center. Honorary pallbearers are current and retired members of Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to March of Dimes.