TUSCUMBIA — Frank Whitaker said Colbert County lost a good friend Wednesday morning.

“Everybody on the west end (of Colbert County) knows each other, or they’re related to each other, and I think everyone knew Les (McCullough),” said Whitaker, pastor at Barton First Baptist Church. “Les was a good man, good friend.”

McCullough, 76, died Wednesday morning from injuries he sustained in a all-terrain vehicle accident.

“I understand he was squirrel hunting (when the accident happened),” longtime friend L.O. Bishop said.

Authorities said the accident happened in a wooded area behind McCullough’s house at 7330 Alabama 247, across from Fawn Lake.

Officials said McCullough was with two friends riding in a four-wheel ATV. The other men were not injured, officials said.

McCullough was pronounced dead at the scene by Colbert County Coroner Carlton Utley. Utley said McCullough suffered from head and neck trauma.

“He was doing what he liked to do and that was be outdoors,” longtime friend and hunting companion Travis Wammack said. “He loved to hunt and be outdoors.”

Wammack at one time lived near McCullough. He said they used to hunt together a lot.

“We let the dogs run, and we’d just hang out talking and enjoying each other’s company and listen to the dogs bark,” Wammack said.

Wammack said McCullough has been battling health issues for years.

“He lived a good life, and he was a warrior; he didn’t let (the health issues) get him down,” Wammack said.

Bishop said one thing he remembers about McCullough was his attitude.

“He was a very positive person,” Bishop said. “He had a positive outlook about everything.”

Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said he had known McCullough for years.

“He would come by the courthouse, and we would sit and talk about common friends,” May said. “He loved to talk. He would talk to everybody and anybody about anything they wanted to. Les was a great man.”

Whitaker said he saw McCullough at a recent community meeting.

“I told him he was looking good, and he said he was feeling good,” Whitaker said. “He looked like he was full of joy. We’re all going to miss him.”

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.