Robert Thomas Collier, Sr., 87, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born on October 31, 1927, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Ida Mary Ayer Collier and Oscar Louis Collier, Sr., and had been a resident of the Beaumont area for fifty years after moving from Baton Rouge in 1964.
Bob graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1945 and then attended Louisiana State University. In 1946, after just one semester, he entered the United States Navy. He achieved the Rank of Aviation Electronics Technician’s Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged in December of 1947.
Bob married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Claire Elizabeth Brechtel, on December 27, 1950. In June of 1951, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at LSU. After graduation, Bob began his career as an electrical engineer with Gulf States Utilities in Baton Rouge. After transferring to Beaumont in 1964, he retired in 1990 after thirty-nine years of service with GSU.
Bob was an active member of First Baptist Church. He served as a Sunday School Teacher and Bible Study Leader, among other ministry activities. Bob enjoyed many hobbies, both before and after retirement, mostly involving the outdoors. He loved hiking, bird watching, wood-working, gardening, and cycling. Bob even rode in several MS 150 events.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother. He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Claire; their five children, Robert Thomas Collier, Jr., Lynne Collier Womble, Anne Collier Addcox, Jane Collier Moorman, and Scott Joseph Collier; sons-in-law, Bob Womble, Jim Addcox, and Craig Moorman; daughter-in-law, Lisa Collier; fourteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A gathering of Mr. Collier’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 23, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 24, 2014, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 3739 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or Golden Triangle Audubon Society, 3015 Nashville Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
