Jimmy Ray McCullough
October 14, 1974 - January 21, 2021

A very loved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and good friend has left us unexpectedly. Jimmy Ray McCullough, Jr., passed away on January 21, 2021 at the age of 46.

Brought into the world in Roswell, New Mexico on October 14, 1974, Jimmy was his mother Paula's unexpected birthday gift that year. Born into a Navy family through his namesake father, Jim, he moved around the world to as far away as Guam and Puerto Rico and much closer to home in California. But in the end he enjoyed his life in Phoenix, Arizona the most and settled into being a true desert rat.

His older sister would tell you, she didn't want a little brother and his wrinkled red face was not the adorable baby she expected. However, as Jimmy grew into his cuteness, he quickly decided that his older sister was his favorite. Plainly declaring this by shouting her name, "Becca!", as his first word.

As he grew older, no one would be surprised that he continued with his sometimes reckless and wild nature. Dragging his older sister up the stairs while trying to wrestle. Playing "kill the carrier" with his friends, only to break his thumb in several places. Sledding down steep hills with his younger sister, Victoria, to knock their breath out when they went spinning into the trees. An outgoing boy, he was always ready to try something new and share a laugh, something he never let go of.

At 14 his risky side got the better of him. His adventure landed him and his friend into a country road drainage ditch, having overturned a car while trying to avoid an animal. Jimmy lost most of his hand, but given the choice to replace what was left with a full prosthetic, he said he'd already lost enough of it, hadn't he? He pushed on and endured long surgeries and painful days and nights. The life before him may have changed, but he wasn't going to let it stop him.

Typical of Jimmy, when his family moved to Phoenix, he made fast and lifelong friends. He couldn't do all the things he wanted to, with a hand he struggled to get used to. No high school football team or the other sports he was interested in. Instead, headstrong and wilful, Jimmy and his friends forged into being teenagers with crazy parties and long nights under the gigantic desert sky.

When Jimmy met Diane, his future wife, there was an instant connection. Both with a love of the outdoors, animals, and a dash of adventure, they quickly grew to soul mates traveling in her Jeep around Arizona. Maybe a less than traditional courtship, there might have been more cozy nights and fire pits than the average couple.

With the birth of his son, Little Jimmy, he found another kindred spirit. Taking his son with him camping, on off-roading trips, and to all the other places he was eager to share with his family. You also might think that having a daughter would settle him down, but in Ashlyn he further poured his intrepid soul and love. He took them across the country to both National and theme parks, hiking around waterfalls, and generally trying to offer them the best life he could. Maybe buying that family house was just somewhere to store all of his camping gear.

Jimmy was amazingly loyal and steadfast. He kept his friends and family close, always willing to go out of his way for someone. So much so that he was often a father figure for his niece and nephews, Jaclyn, Jacob, and Josh. Helping his older sister care for them when she needed him most. He could often be frustratingly overprotective, but in the end, you could tell just how fiercely he loved everyone he kept close.

There will always be a missing spot in the heart of anyone who knew him, but you can tell by the messages of love that he enriched everyone he touched. His joy, sense of adventure, faith, and devotion will go on with his family and friends.

We find comfort that Jimmy is in Heaven with his grandmothers, grandfathers, his Uncle Danny, his best friend Korey, his cousin Kamey and best Buddy Chris (if there is trouble in Heaven those boys have found it.)
Jimmy leaves behind wife Diane, children Jimmy Ray and Ashlyn, his parents Jimmy Ray, Sr. and Paula McCullough, sisters Becca and Victoria, mother-in-law Rosann, two nieces, three nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

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