James R. McCullough

James Robert McCullough, 85, passed away on October 9, 2024 at his home in Worth. He is survived by his loving sisters Eileen (John) Madden, Mary Therese, and Peg McMahon. He was predeceased by his devoted parents Ervin “Bud” and Sarah “Sal” (Casey) McCullough. Jim loved and delighted in the accomplishments of his many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, and he enjoyed the company of his many cousins. 

Jim enjoyed a long career as a gifted teacher of English, most recently for over thirty years at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein. He was the moderator of the school’s national award-winning literary magazine, Harbinger, and he was especially proud that several Carmel alumni have gone on to have distinguished writing careers. Carmel was also where Jim formed decades-long friendships with fellow faculty members. In retirement, Jim logged many volunteer hours recording novels and academic texts for Learning Ally, a company that supplies audiobooks to help students with reading challenges. Jim loved all things beautiful, particularly the fine arts, music, and poetry, a love which he shared generously with family and friends. Jim also had a long career as a keen observer of human behavior as a part-time bartender at Knollwood Country Club, and he would regale us with stories of his experiences there, most notably our favorite, “The Time I Bored Michael Jordan.” Jim loved his family, and we will miss his wit, his kindness, and his hearty laugh. 

Family and friends will gather for a memorial visitation on Wednesday 3:00 -8:00 p.m. Funeral Thursday 9:30 a.m. prayers at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home 11028 Southwest Hwy., to  Sacred Heart Church, for a Memorial Mass 10:00 a.m. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 

 The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Doctors Without Borders, Misericordia, or Unicef.