He was born in Monessen, PA. He graduated High School in North Little Rock, AR. He served in the U.S. Air Force from April 1948 until April 1952. He was employed by Otis Elevator as a maintenance engineer for over 35 years. He lived in Chicago for many years. He was a member of the Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Jackson, Henderson Elks Lodge and the V. F.W.He is survived by his wife, Ann McDaniel Columbus of Henderson; two daughters, Dale Ann Columbus of St. Paul, MN and Kathleen Envall of Barrington Hills, IL; four sons, John Columbus of Gurnee, IL, Steven Columbus of Lombard, IL, James Columbus of Batavia, IL and Brian Columbus of Minneapolis, MN; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Connie Miller of IN, Jenny Thrailkill of CA and Patty Columbus of FL and two brothers, Ernest Columbus of TX and Phillip Columbus of AR.