It is with great sadness that the family of Derwood Collum announces his passing on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the age of 79. He was a man of faith and had a love for the Lord and now rests in peace with his Heavenly Father.

Gene Derwood Collum was born August 18, 1944 in Sylacauga, Alabama to Janie and Richard Collum. He was a born entrepreneur and started working at the age of six planting crops and was fired due to his small size to carry the bucket to make the whole row and he couldn't remember where he left off. Derwood continued to work hard for his family from being a lineman, owning service stations, starting a clothing store and batting cages, car salesman, working in the funeral home with his brother James, cabinet work to construction and ending his career in partnership with his son Casey, owning Empire Truss.

In 1971 he met Nancy at the Rising Sun and they were married three months later at the courthouse in Livingston, Texas. They went on to have two children, Casey and Tonya and lived in Huntsville for over 50 years. Derwood was strong willed, had an enormous heart and quite the sense of humor. He was generous, brave, loyal, clever and full to the brim with his knowledge gained through all of his life experiences. He could literally fix or build anything.

Derwood and Nancy were happily married for 52 years and logged many miles in their motorhome traveling to visit family and to watch their four grandkids, Macy, Casey Jr., Crew & Lola compete in their activities. He enjoyed his classic cars and riding through town solving the world's problems sipping his Diet Dr. Pepper with his sweetheart, Nancy, right by his side.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Duncan Collum and two kids, Casey Collum (wife Maggie) and Tonya Collum; four grandchildren Macy (15), Casey Jr. (13), Crew (10) and Lola (10). Derwood is also survived by his brother, James Collum and sister, Janice Murphree and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Derwood is preceded in death by his parents Janie Smith Collum and Richard Clarence Collum; brothers Vernon Ray Collum, Richard Collum and sister Geraldine "Jerri" Collum Brown.

He will be remembered for his heart, loyalty and humor that he shared abundantly with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them and if you knew him, you knew that. He will be missed dearly.

The family will have a visitation at Heritage Oak Funeral Home, Sunday, October 29 from 1pm-4pm. Funeral Services will be at 2pm on Monday, October 30 at Second Huntsville Church. The family has requested if you have a classic car to drive it in the procession to graveside services at Mayes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery following the services. Derwood always went in style.