FOI Okahoma mourns the death of our founding board member, David McCullough. Below are sentiments offered by some of our board members followed by his obituary.

Joe Hight:

“David made an impact in many ways in FOI Oklahoma and freedom of information issues. He was always willing to help anyone wanting help in this area, even when it meant he wouldn't be paid for it. However, I remember the days when he was managing editor of the Guthrie Daily Leader, and I was a reporter and then a sports editor working for him. He was my first boss. He also was a mentor, with a great sense of humor and a keen instinct in pursuing stories to fulfill our First Amendment watchdog role. Dale Himes was the general manager who hired David in Guthrie. After being told this week about David's passing. Dale said, "He was a damn good editor. He was always going from one controversy to another."  After David went to law school, I followed him as managing editor, going from one controversy to another. Even after becoming an attorney, David maintained his journalistic integrity as well his sense of humor. He also didn't fear going after  controversy, especially when it involved the First Amendment. That sense of humor and integrity will be missed. He will be missed.”

Lindel Hutson:

I first became acquainted with David during the formation of FOI Oklahoma 30 years ago. I was new to the state and welcomed his insight into freedom of information causes and journalism in the state. I served three terms as president of FOI Oklahoma and David was always there when we needed help. He was always a fighter and promoter of transparency in government and freedom of the press. His background was in Oklahoma newspapers and he was quite proud of his tenure as managing editor of the Guthrie Daily Leader. He also enjoyed working with the various Indian tribes. I had the honor of telling him in 2017 that he was the recipient of FOI's Marion Opala First Amendment Award. He was surprised but I could tell he was flattered and proud to be receiving it. He certainly deserved it.

David McCullough

William David McCullough Jr. was called home to his Savior Jesus Christ, on Thursday, August 27, 2020 after a short but valiant battle with acute Leukemia. He spent 67 years in this life and made the most of them. He was a Christian who loved his family, his friends, his work, his country and baseball. He was a storehouse of baseball trivia, and often someone would say something like, "Remember that time when Yogi Berra..." and David would already anticipate the question and know the answer- including where he was attending, watching or listening to that particular game, who he was there with and sometimes even what the weather was like. He was also a season ticket holder for OU football and the Thunder. David was extremely patriotic. He was a lifetime learner who loved American history and politics- and LOVED finding people who wanted to chat about them. One of the many things those who know him best will always remember is his extreme generosity to his family and friends, to his church and often to strangers. There are no words to adequately express how much he will be missed. His life impacted many people, but none more than his family. He believed in being involved which is why most Saturday nights he had hamburgers at his folks' house and why he attended every activity any of his kids or grandkids ever participated in.

David started his career as a journalist who later, as an attorney, became a champion for freedom of information and First Amendment issues. After graduating with a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1977, he became a general assignment reporter for The Duncan Banner. He was named sports editor of the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat in 1978, and a year later was hired as manager editor of the Guthrie Daily Leader. In his two years as editor, he became known for his unwavering pursuit of government controversies as well as mentoring journalists who went on to distinguished careers.

In 1989, he started working as an attorney on behalf of news organizations for the Oklahoma Press Association and then became a founding member of Freedom of Information Oklahoma (FOI Oklahoma). He served as a board member for FOI Oklahoma, elected as president in 1993 and then was named as an advisory board member. He also was the author of the Oklahoma Open Government Guide as part of the 50-State Open Government Guide published by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
He was honored with the Oklahoma SPJ First Amendment Award in 1996 and then FOI Oklahoma's Marian Opala First Amendment Award in 2017. Beyond those honors he will be remembered for the countless number of hours he did pro bono work in representing journalists, journalism organizations and others on FOI, First Amendment and other legal issues.

David served as the Chief Counsel and Attorney General for the Wyandotte Nation Tribe over the past 28years. Among other accomplishments during this time, he successfully adjudicated two landmark land-into-trust cases on behalf of the tribe, which have since been referred to by numerous tribes and attorneys across the United States. He served as a trusted advisor to former Chief, Leaford Bearskin, and present Chief, Billy Friend, and travelled across the United States with both, representing the nation in all matters. David's legal representation has played a major part in the success of the Wyandotte Nation and helped in establishing programs to better serve the tribal citizenship. This year, David was chosen by tribal leadership to be the "Wyandotte Nation Person of the Year" and was to be honored at the annual meeting in September.
David worked with the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma for more than 35 years. He worked with so many different leadership administrations that over the years, he was the continuity for the Tribe. When the Tribe went through change he was there to guide and advise. He was truly a blessing to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Many Ioways over the years have looked at David as an advisor, mentor, and friend. His contributions to the Tribe will be felt for generations. Chairman Edgar Kent said, "David will be greatly missed as we carry on some of the major projects in progress. We wish him well in the next step in his journey as we carry on as best we can from his example."

David spoke at a church camp just a month ago about how much he has loved the journey that brought him to the Lord, that brought him his wife, his daughters and his grandkids. He said he loved it all. He was a good friend, a good husband, a good dad, a good grandpa, and good brother and a good son. We are so very grieved at the thought of not seeing him day to day, but his values, his faith, optimism, generosity, patriotism, and love for life have been left with us and are a blessing and joy we share and carry always.

Preceded in death by grandson Simeon McIntyre. He is survived by his parents, Billy and Mona; his wife of 38 years, Debra Jo; his four daughters, Cathryn (Robert), Jayme (Mike), Jo Caryn (Barney), and Cayla (Derek); his grandkids, Esther, Mikey, Canon BryLee, Adi Jo, William, Emerson and Rory; and his younger brothers and sisters, Jerry, Richard, Dayna, DeAnne, Jon, Stephen, and Stephanie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring David's legacy by making a donation to FOI Oklahoma. A special page has been established in David's honor at www.foioklahoma.org/donate

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Norman Community Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Brent Hardesty officiating. Public viewing will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 6-8 pm at Primrose Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Norman IOOF Cemetery with Robert McIntyre, Mike Porter, Derek Morton, Barney Thompson, Alex Jackson and Andrew Jackson serving as pallbearers.