Community Mourns Victim of Head-On Collision

   The victim of a head-on collision caused by a teenager who shouldn't have been driving alone, is being remembered as a loving husband, father and son.

   Marc McCullough, 33, was killed Sunday when a 15 year old driver struck the Lumberton family's car near Temple, in Central Texas.

  Mark McCullough was killed. His wife, Tonya, 31, was seriously hurt.  Their two daughters, Madeline, 6, and Abigail, 4, were injured.

   "He touched a lot of lives and he'll be truly missed," said Pastor Larry Staggs.

   Staggs is the pastor at Crestwood Baptist Church in Hardin County.  He's talking about a man he knew as much more than a parishioner - Marc McCullough was a friend.

   Marc's parents joined the pastor in remembering a man they say touched the lives of his family, his community, and most of all, his wife and two daughters.

   "Mark was a model father, he was a model husband, he loved his wife amazingly," said Pastor Staggs.'

   "How much he loved her and those girls just added to all the joy and all the love that they had."

   Mark's wife and two children were injured in the collision that claimed his life on Sunday.

   State troopers say a 15 year old driving a Tahoe crossed the center line on Highway 190 near Temple and hit the McCullough's Ford Fusion head on.

   The teen had a learner's permit and should not have been alone in the vehicle.

   "We're not guaranteed any length of days," said Pastor Staggs.  "Life is short and every day is precious."

   Pastor Staggs says Marc McCullough lived a full life in his 33 years.

   The pastor married the McCulloughs ten years ago.  August 1 would have been the couple's 11th anniversary.

   Pastor Staggs says Marc had always been involved in the community, taught at his church, laid the foundation for HOPE Women's Rescue Clinic in Beaumont, and graduated magna cum laude one month ago from LIT with his second degree.

   "Everybody just looked forward to him doing great things," said Pastor Staggs.  "I think in the long run he exceeded everybody's expectations."

   And now, the pastor and Marc's parents say they must remain strong for his wife and their two children, who are still recovering from the collision that took his life.

   Funeral arrangments for Marc McCullough are pending.  The pastor says Marc's funeral will be held at Crestwood Baptist Church in Hardin County.