George Donald “Don” Collier
He prioritized friendships and loved to have fun, often going on fishing trips, exploring Utah and other beautiful horizons, skydiving to celebrate his 75th birthday, and just hanging out with friends around the campfire. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1961 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University, a masters’ degree from Tennessee Tech and a PhD from Utah State University. He worked and taught at Calhoun Community College for over 40 years,
He was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife Jan Bowling Collier and his cherished son Louis Mark Collier. He is survived by his daughter Leigh Anne Swindell and her husband David, five beautiful grandchildren (Nathan and his wife Stacy, Erin, Jonathan, Anna, and Mollie), one great granddaughter Lucy Grace Collier, and two cousins that were like brothers, Ken Collier and Bobby Garrett. He was a proud and doting grandfather and loved being a part of his kids’ lives, including road trips, cruises, fishing, watching football, volleyball, soccer, ballet, or whatever it was they were doing.
He lived well and Proverbs 4:18 so well sums up his life – “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn shining every brighter until the full light of day.” Don lived to give and was often heard reminding us to “Keep looking up.” He ran his race well, and he has heard “Well done” from his heavenly Father.
Visitation will be from Friday, June 28th 1:30pm – 3 pm at Antioch Baptist Church in Priceville, with the funeral at 3 pm and burial following at Blue Springs Baptist Church in Somerville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lottie Moon offering for world missions. Donations can be made to “Lottie Moon Offering” and sent to Antioch Baptist Church 3308 Indian Hills Rd. Decatur, AL 35603.
To know Don was to know that he loved life, and he lived his with contagious joy and love! He loved his Savior first of all, and he loved his family and church family with a passion. You’d often find him on his Kubota tractor, using a chain saw, or in the flower garden. He was a biology professor by trade, but if you talked to him longer than five minutes you know he brought his love of nature into almost every conversation he had, sometimes longer than you’d like, with conversations easily turning to lectures. He was born in Decatur to George and Ethel Collier on December 10, 1942, and he went to be with Jesus on Sunday June 23, 2024, the way he wanted to – just falling asleep and awakening in the presence of his Savior.
He prioritized friendships and loved to have fun, often going on fishing trips, exploring Utah and other beautiful horizons, skydiving to celebrate his 75th birthday, and just hanging out with friends around the campfire. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1961 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University, a masters’ degree from Tennessee Tech and a PhD from Utah State University. He worked and taught at Calhoun Community College for over 40 years,
He was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife Jan Bowling Collier and his cherished son Louis Mark Collier. He is survived by his daughter Leigh Anne Swindell and her husband David, five beautiful grandchildren (Nathan and his wife Stacy, Erin, Jonathan, Anna, and Mollie), one great granddaughter Lucy Grace Collier, and two cousins that were like brothers, Ken Collier and Bobby Garrett. He was a proud and doting grandfather and loved being a part of his kids’ lives, including road trips, cruises, fishing, watching football, volleyball, soccer, ballet, or whatever it was they were doing.
He lived well and Proverbs 4:18 so well sums up his life – “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn shining every brighter until the full light of day.” Don lived to give and was often heard reminding us to “Keep looking up.” He ran his race well, and he has heard “Well done” from his heavenly Father.
Visitation will be from Friday, June 28th 1:30pm – 3 pm at Antioch Baptist Church in Priceville, with the funeral at 3 pm and burial following at Blue Springs Baptist Church in Somerville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lottie Moon offering for world missions. Donations can be made to “Lottie Moon Offering” and sent to Antioch Baptist Church 3308 Indian Hills Rd. Decatur, AL 35603.
