James A. Collard
By Space Coast Daily // March 1, 2012
OBITUARY
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — James A. Collard, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on February 24, 2012, in Houston, TX. He was born in Henry, TN.
Jim was a retired Army SFC who served in WWII, Korea and taught Military Science at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. He was Past Commander of VFW Post 8191, Melbourne, FL. and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also an honorary Kentucky Colonel.
He loved to play his guitar and sing, and had a band in the earlier years. He even played on stage at the famous Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, FL.
His survivors include his loving wife, Louise Curley Collard, Houston, TX; his children, Patrick Collard, Helan (Lawrence) Cox, Mary (Jim) Boyd, Kathleen Murray, Angela (Darin) Zeger; stepchildren, Andrew and Ric Curley, Edyie Sweet, Houston, TX, Sean Curley, Denver, CO, Rose Yeary and Mary Beth (Mark) Miyo of Melbourne, FL; brother, Maburn Collard of IN; sisters, Dottie (James) Elmore of KY and Brenda (Wilson) Kabler of KY; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation, February 29th from 5 till 7 PM, a Vigil will be March 1st at 10 AM, at Brookside Funeral Home, Houston, TX.
A second visitation will be March 2nd from 5 till 7 PM at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, Viera. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church, Melbourne, FL, on March 3rd at 1:30 PM, with burial at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL, on Monday, March 5, 2012.
Jim’s life journey helped him to become the most generous, gentle soul who was loved by us all and will be deeply missed, but we know he is in God’s care now.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be March 3rd at 5 PM at the VFW #8191, Melbourne, FL.
You may sign Jim’s online guestbook at www.beckmanwilliamson.com.
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