Gerald "Bud" McColloch

Gerald “Bud” Leroy McColloch, 90, longtime Ogallala resident and former businessman, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the Aurora Medical Center, in Aurora, Colorado.
Bud was born April 16, 1926, in Brule, Nebraska, the son of Clyde and Nina (DePue) McColloch. He grew up in Brule Nebraska and graduated from Brule High School in 1944.
After high school, he went to work for Albert and Ozeal Williams in Ogallala, Nebraska, where he met his wife Jean Williams. The two were married on November 30, 1946. They had two children, Sandee and Scott.

Bud and Jean moved to Alliance, Nebraska in 1957, where they were engaged in farming and ranching with Jean’s parents until 1965 when they moved to Childress, Texas. Where they owned and operated a Best Western Motel and Restaurant.   Bud and Jean returned to Nebraska in September of 1965 and bought the Phillips 66 Distributorship, the Elms Motel and service station and the Valley Motel all in Ogallala, Nebraska. In 1968, they started the Hill Crest Mobile Homes and sold it in 1973. They also purchased the Pony Express 66 on the I-80 Interchange at Ogallala.

Bud and Jean opened and operated B&J’s Hitching Post in June of 1977, along with their daughter and son-in-law until April 2007.  In 1979, they opened Taco John’s and the Lady Bee Fashions Clothing Store. They also owned and operated B&J’s 66 in both Ogallala and Grant, Nebraska. Bud and Jean purchased and restored the Plaza Inn from 1989 to 1995. They also owned the Yellowstone Motel in Greybull, Wyoming until 2014. Bud and Jean provided fuel to many farms and ranches around the area for 42 years.

Bud was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, The Masonic Temple, Shriners International, The Elks and The Eagles Clubs. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Emma Jean McColloch, his brother Raymond McColloch, a sister Dorothy Foster, his daughter Sandee McCroden and a great-granddaughter Theresa Ann Cook.

Survivors include his son Scott (Jackie) McColloch of Greybull, Wyoming; his twin sister Geraldine Bricker of Lexington, Nebraska; and his son-in-law Charlie McCroden of Ogallala. His grandchildren, Mindee (John) Hilker of O’Neill, Nebraska; Melanee (Cory) Reimers of Ogallala, Nebraska; Michelle (Dan) Burns, Angie (Casey) Cook and Michael (Michelle) McColloch all of Greybull, Wyoming. His great-grandchildren Makayla and Madisyn Hilker; Baley, Kaylyn and Brandon Burns; Lauren, Erika and Dylan Cook; and Gaven, Kelsie and Aleksey McColloch, along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be Monday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating.
A memorial has been established in his name for later designation. Interment is in the Ogallala Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent  by signing the Guest Book.  The Service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is entrusted with the arrangements.

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