Fred Collier

Fred Collier left this Earth to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Visitation will be from 6 till 8 PM on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral will be 12:30 on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel with Interment following at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Fred was born on January 27, 1950 in Loraine, Texas to Raymond and Alene Collier. He was raised mainly in Hermeleigh, Texas, and in 1964 moved to Odessa, Texas where three years later he enlisted in the United States Army until September 12, 1969. Fred served 9 months in Vietnam, where upon honorable discharge he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Expert Rifle Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

On December 5, 1975, in Hobbs, New Mexico, Fred married Paula Kay Helms, whom he devoted his life to and loved unconditionally for 35 years. They raised two children Ray Collier and Janice Collier Nunez, and have seven grandchildren, who Fred loved with all his heart and soul.

He was an avid sports fan with a great love for football, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns. Above all, he loved being able to watch his grandson, Joseph Diaz play football for the Merkel Badgers.

Though he has left this Earth, he will remain in the hearts of many friends and family members. Fred was oneofakind.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Alene Collier, two nephews, Gregory Wayne Kitchens and Sean Smith, and a BrotherinLaw, Randy Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Collier a son, Ray Collier of Capitan, NM and his wife, Michelle a daughter, Janice Nunez of Anson, Tx and her husband, Mark a brother, Don Collier of Denver City, Tx two sisters, Alma Kitchens and her husband, Don of Odessa, Tx and Kathy Smith of Odessa, Tx a sisterinlaw, Lanelle Bronstad of Clifton, Tx a special sister, Janice Harp of Waller, Tx and her husband Mike a shared daughter, Rhonda McLen of Hodges, Tx and her husband Frank seven grandchildren: Dakota Collier, Joseph and Mikayla Diaz, Elizabeth, Sierra, and Jacob Collier, and Ashlynn Nunez three neices, Angel Maxwell of Denver City, Tx and her husband Cody, Holly Evans of Midland, Tx and her husband Mike, and Rhiannon Jones of Odessa, Tx and her husband Chad and one nephew Jack Smith of Odessa, Tx Along with many great nieces and nephews, close friends and family.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans Association, 2555 Grape Street Abilene, TX 79601 or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
6 till 8 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
12:30 PM

Cemetery

Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
7457 W. Lake Road
Abilene, TX  79601

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 1922
Abilene, TX  79604


2555 Grape Street
Abilene, TX  79601