James Fenell Ward McCollum was born on March 17, 1984 to Calvert and Marlena McCollum in Stuttgart, West Germany. James was the first child born to Calvert and Marlena and accepted Christ at a young age.
James grew up a military brat thus allowing him to travel with his family before graduating from Radford Hign School on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 2002. Shortly after graduation, James and his family moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky where he would soon follow in the steps of his family and enlist in the Army to serve his country. While in the military, James followed his passion of cooking by entering the Food Service field. He served two tours in Iraq before becoming medically retired and trading in the Kentucky hills for California palm trees bringing him to San Pedro, California in 2016. He then went on to further his culinary dreams and enrolled in culinary school in Pasadena, California.
Shortly after relocation, James joined Mount Sinai and became actively involved in the service of the church in whatever role was asked of him. All who knew James knew that he was a giver, a loyal friend, and a good man with a servant’s heart. James always knew the perfect way to bring a smile to someone in need of a smile or laugh. In the recent years of his life, James shared his battles and how the redemptive love of Christ can bring anyone from darkness to light, if they are willing to be still and listen.
James was preceded in death by his daughter, Neveah McCollum and his paternal grandparents Richard and Maggie McCollum and his maternal grandfather, Nelson Ward. Left behind to mourn his memory are his parents, Calvert and Marlena McCollum; sister Vanna-T (Tim) Dudley; beloved niece Calamar; a plethora of aunts,uncles, cousins along with family by choice, Craig Sterrette, Shawn White, Curt Cannon, and Michelle Church.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James Fenell Ward McCollum, please visit our floral store.