John Mccallum Jr.

John “LJ/Johnny Mac” McCallum Jr., 37, of Rockford, IL passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

John was born in Rockford, IL on July 10, 1984, son of John McCallum Sr. and Robin Watson. He graduated from Jefferson High School, Class of 2002 and later went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Hawaii Pacific University. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in Hawaii and Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his service, John worked as a Correctional Officer with the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Office and later became an insurance adjustor for R.A.C. and Sedgwick Claims Management Services.

John was humble, thoughtful, kind and would be there for anyone, no matter what. He was a man of many talents. He independently taught himself to play the drums from the age of 3, using objects such as cans, pots, pans and buckets until he had put together a complete drum set. John enjoyed playing the drums and guitar, listening to music and podcasts, woodworking and could teach himself to do just about anything he wanted. He played both drums and guitar in many bands throughout his life. John was a founding member of Baby Rae’z Band of Rockford. He will be dearly missed as a loving father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, companion and so much more to the many lives he touched.

John is survived by his daughter, Kaileigh McCallum; ex-wife/co-parent/friend, Carrie McCallum; parents, John (Lorrie) McCallum, Sr. and Robin (Charlie) Watson; sister, Alisha (Emmanuel) Perez; grandmother “G-Mama”, Helen McCallum; special friend and musical companion, RaeAnn Dombrowski; aunts and uncles, Kathy (Don) Earls, Donnie McCallum, Chris (Mary) McCallum, Andy (Rhesa) McCallum, Kelly McCallum, Corina Hopkins, Elizabeth Phillips and Sue (Jeff) Bailey; cousins, Miranda, Ashley, Julianna, Mark, Macie, Kaila, Jacob, James, Karen, Nicky, Tate and Maxine. He is predeceased by maternal grandparents, Monte and Karen Hopkins; paternal grandfather, Donald McCallum and mother-in-law, Terri Oglesby.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m. located at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Cremation rites will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Robin Watson for a trust fund established to John’s daughter, Kaileigh.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com