"Mike" John Michael Collier Sr.'s Obituary
A Celebration of Life for John Michael (Mike) Collier, Sr., 70, of Longview will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jay Jackson and Rev. Mary Collier officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel, 1617 Judson Rd., Longview.
Mike passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 13, at home following a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.
The youngest of four sons, he was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Longview to Frank and Lila Collier.
Mike was a 1965 graduate of Longview High School where he was elected president of the LHS student body and King of the Lobos. He excelled in sports, lettering three years in football and track. He was always proud to be a Longview Lobo.
He received a football scholarship to the University of Houston and played for the Cougars 1965 to 1968 under legendary coaches Bill Yeoman and Bum Phillips. After graduating from U of H in 1969, Mike joined the family business, Collier Furniture Company.
On Aug. 24, 1968, he married the love of his life, Doris Reeves. Nothing was more important to
Mike than his faith, family and friendships.
Mike was a lifetime member of Longview First United Methodist Church, where Mike and Doris were charter members of the Grace Lowrey “Newly Weds” Sunday School Class. Mike was much involved in the church and enjoyed the camaraderie of playing first base on the church league softball team for many years.
Mike loved spending precious time with his sons, taking them to Lobo and Baylor football games, and coaching Little League Baseball and Church League Basketball teams. His grandchildren who affectionately called him Papa were the light of his life.
He earned his pilot’s license in 1977 and had a passion for flying, often using his airplane as a ministry to make Angel Flights for patients in need of air transportation. He was a very active member of the East Texas Aeromodelers (RC Model Airplanes). He enjoyed fishing and boating at Lake Cherokee.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Bobby Collier; and sisters-in-law, Sylvia Collier and Mary Ann Collier.
Survivors include Doris Reeves Collier, his wife of almost 49 years; two sons, John Michael Collier, Jr., and wife Jennifer Clark Collier, and Curtis Kyle Collier and wife Stefanie Jones Collier; three adorable grandchildren, Jack Clark Collier, Sam Reeves Collier, and Caroline Lila Collier; two brothers, Pat Collier and Joe Collier; two sisters-in-law, Alice Collier and Janis Reeves Varner; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mike was a good and faithful servant and a true friend to all.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Angel Flight South Central, P.O. Box 763760, Dallas, Texas 75376; Grace Lowrey Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia St., Longview, Texas 75601; or Christ to the World Ministries, P.O. Box 360, Judson, Texas 75660-9989 (www.christtotheworld.com).
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