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Long-time funeral home president dies

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XENIA — Roger “Rock” McColaugh spent much of his life hearing grieving families speak wonderfully about their dearly departed.

Now McColaugh — president of McColaugh Funeral home — is having such tributes spoken about him. The 70-year-old Xenia native died March 16, leaving an unfillable hole in the community.

“Rock was a wonderful person who contributed substantially to the Xenia community both publicly and behind the scenes,” said high school classmate Pete Stephan. “He was always kind and had a smile for everyone he knew. His family and his wife’s family have been in Xenia for generations and have always provided the community leadership whether as teachers, business leaders and civic actions.”

His obituary reads, “Once you met Rock, you left feeling like you were now his friend,” which is precisely the case for Xenia resident Billie Carrico.

“He has always known my dad and was always just Rock,” she said. “I grew up knowing him. Everyone loved him. He always had a crooked little smile and a joke. He loved to make you laugh. He also knew how to reach people’s souls when they needed it the most. He helped many of us through some of our hardest times. He was everybody’s buddy. My heart aches for the McColaugh family. He was one of the good ol’ boys in Xenia and will be greatly missed.”

Others on social media echoed those thoughts.

“He was an amazing man. He helped so many families in their time of need,” one post said.

Another called McColaugh a “constant in some of my worst times,” and another said McColaugh’s death a “great loss.”

McColaugh graduated from Xenia High School in 1967. He earned multiple letters in wrestling and track and field and attended Central State University and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1970. He went on to join his father in the company business, McColaugh Funeral Home, which was established in 1960. After his father’s death in 1998, McColaugh assumed the responsibility of continuing the company’s legacy of being “dedicated to serve” the families of Greene County.

He was also on the executive board of the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, worked on several fundraisers for Greene Memorial Hospital, and had been active with the Easter Seals Day Camp. McColaugh was also active in the Xenia Rotary Club, serving as past president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was seen annually ringing the Salvation Army bell for Rotary during the holidays, as well as assisting with the July 4 fireworks.

McColaugh is survived by his wife Virginia F. (Tharp) McColaugh, whom he married December 12, 1970; his three sons and daughters-in-law: Justin D. and Heather of Loveland; Nathan A. and JoLenda of Columbus; and Kevin J. and Annie of Alexandria, Va; siblings: Robert S. and Donna; Ronald A. and Ann; and Ann and Jim Huston, all of Xenia; and many other relatives.

McColaugh
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/03/web1_rock.jpgMcColaugh

By Scott Halasz

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Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.