McCollum, John M. Feb. 21, 1922 - Oct. 30, 2015 John M. McCollum, 93, passed away October 30, 2015, in Sarasota, FL. He was born on February 21, 1922, to F. James and Ingabord McCollum. In 1943, he married the love of his life, Mary Wilson. Their union covered more than 7 decades. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Kristi and Betty, a brother Jim, and his loving wife, Mary. He is survived by his daughter, Kristi (George) McCollum Price, Denver, CO, son, Timothy (Pamela) McCollum, Marshfield, WI, grandchildren, Kendall Babl, Emily Leggin, and Andrew McCollum, and three great-granddaughters, Hannah, Courtney and Zoe Leggin. During WW II, he served in the US Navy as a fighter pilot and flight instructor. After WW II, John finished his degree in journalism at the University of California Berkeley. He worked as a journalist and magazine publisher until he decided to move his family from California to New York to pursue a career in singing. As a lyric tenor, John made his debut in Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah at the Church of the Ascension in New York City. In 1952, he tied for First Place in the American Theater Wing's singing contest. That same year, he performed with Dmitri Mitropoulos and the NY Philharmonic in Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov. Over his long and successful career, he was highly recognized as an outstanding artist in opera, oratorio and the recital stage. His recordings include: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, 'The Choral', with the Chicago Symphony, Fritz Reiner conducting; Haydn's The Creation, with Musica AEterna, Frederick Waldman conducting; Handel's Ode to Saint Cecilia with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic; and Songs by 20th Century American Composers, produced by Phoenix USA. He portrayed King Kaspar in the 1964 TV production of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. Over the course of his long singing career, John sang with every major orchestra in the US and Canada, and was in an opera at the first Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, where he portrayed Reuel in the world premiere of Lee Hoiby's opera The Scarf. In 1962, John was invited to join the Voice Faculty at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance. He remained there until his retirement in 1988, working with some of the finest singing talent in the country. Upon retirement, John was named Professor Emeritus of Music by the Regents of the University of Michigan. His teaching career also took him to the Aspen Music Festival for 12 seasons. On two occasions after retirement, he was guest artist under the baton of his son, Timothy, who was director of the Marshfield, WI High School Orchestra. His grandchildren, Emily and Andrew, were each in the Orchestra for the concerts. John will lovingly be remembered by all those whose lives he touched, whether family, friends, colleagues or the many students with whom he worked. Memorials in his name may be sent to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, Rosemary Russell Scholarship Endowment Fund (#571167), Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A memorial service will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Arborcrest Memorial Park, Ann Arbor, MI. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Glen Watkins Lecture Hall in the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 2, 2016. Online condolences may be sent to [email protected].