STUTTGART — Surrounded by his loving family, Marion Taylor McCollum, Jr.,

81, of Stuttgart, Ark., passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Marion was born on February 9th, 1942, in Stuttgart, Ark., to Marion “Mack” McCollum and Ruth Cannon McCollum. He was a lifelong resident of Stuttgart and a member of the First Methodist Church of Stuttgart, Ark. Marion graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1960, where he played football for the Ricebirds. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College with wishes to become an architect before being called home to run the family business his father started in 1944. This led to his determination that each of his children would receive a college education. Marion will be remembered as building Mack’s Prairie Wings into the business it is today. With the ambition and vision Marion had, he would take risks that most would not which led him to build the empire that is now known as “America’s Premier Waterfowl Outfitter.” He is a legend in the waterfowl industry and he dedicated his life to being an advocate for the next generation of the outdoor sportsman. We find comfort in knowing that Marion’s legacy will live on through many outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come. Marion discovered his love for the outdoors by hunting with his father at a very young age. In 1961, Marion began his adventure in the sporting goods business by becoming a partner with his father. Due to his upbringing and his love of nature, this decision would be a catalyst in shaping how Marion would change the world of waterfowl hunting. Over the course of his life, Marion would receive many awards and achievements. In 1999, The Wall Street Journal featured Mack’s and the high times in the duck business. From the years of 1995-2002, Marion was awarded the honor of becoming a commissioner for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. He served as chairman of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission from 2001-2002. Due to Marion’s dedicated commitment to the renovation of Greenlee Lake, the lake was then named Arkansas’s Marion McCollum Greenlee Lake in 2001. Stuttgart honored Marion in 2002 as Citizen of the Year.” Marion was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame in 2007, the Arkansas Outdoors Hall of Fame in 2008, the 6th Annual Jerry Jones Sportsman’s Award in 2010, and the Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Legends of the Fall Outdoor Hall of Fame. Marion would go on to achieve the Winchester Legend Award in 2020. Throughout his life, Marion played a vital role in advocating for youth shooting sports. He was also a major supporter and a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and Waterfowl USA. He is survived by JoAnn, his wife of 34 years; one son, Dodd (Tammy) McCollum of Little Rock, Ark.; three daughters, Jill (Jon) Flaxman of Little Rock, Ark., Ginger (Phillip) Holladay of Stuttgart, Ark., and Sarah (Justin) Berg of Stuttgart, Ark.; 9 Grandchildren, Daniel Holladay, Alex Flaxman, Sophie Holladay, Ava Kate McCollum, Ben Flaxman, Tyler Berg, Jack Holladay, Anna Grace Berg, and Aubree Berg; sister, K. Dean Walker of Oklahoma City, Okla.; special friend and business partner, Chuck Lock, and many other nieces, nephews, employees, and friends. Marion was preceded in death by his parents.

Following Marion’s wishes, the family plans to have a private celebration of Marion’s life. After cremation, his remains will be spread over the lake at his beloved Sunset Lodge in Roe, Ark. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a gift payable to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72205. The Marion McCollum Endowment Fund has been established at the Foundation to support Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports - a program Marion was extremely passionate about. Gifts can also be made online: https://bit.ly/marion-mccollum or to First Methodist Church in Stuttgart, Ark. Arrangements are by Roller-England Funeral Home, England, Ark. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/england