Jack Wilson Collier

Jack Wilson Collier, a resident of Headland, AL, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. He was born in Grayson, KY on February 8, 1928 and lived a long meaningful life of 94 years enjoying three different careers.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wiregrass Food Bank Brown Bag Program, 382 Twitchell Road, Dothan, AL 36303.

Jack entered the Army after high school in September 1946. He rose to the top enlisted grade in less than five years. While serving in Germany he was awarded a direct commission as a Chemical Corps 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve but elected not to apply for active duty because he did not have a college degree. While on a second tour in Germany in 1959, Jack was the first enlisted person in Europe to be selected for a newly established program for senior non-commissioned officers to go to college for two calendar years. He was sent to study chemistry at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. After progressing to Captain in the reserves just before completing his time at the University of Miami Jack agreed to be called to active-duty October 1961 and was assigned to Fort McClellan, AL. In 1964, Jack was sent to The University of Miami for one semester to complete his degree. This was followed by a tour in Vietnam. After that Jack was assigned to Fort Benning, GA as an instructor at the infantry school and promoted to Major. While at Ft. McPherson he acquired a master's degree from Auburn University. Jack's next assignment was in Atlanta as an Inspector General for the Army Material Command where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He retired from the Army on February 1, 1973. Following retirement Jack achieved a PhD at Georgia State University and became a Civil Service Employee working for Forces Command Headquarters as an Organizational Effectiveness for 20 years retiring again in October 1993. From 1978 through 2008 Jack served as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Extended Degree Program of Central Michigan University teaching master level courses on weekends throughout the Southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. The two things that brought Jack the most pleasure in life were traveling with his wife and fishing with his son. Jack moved to Headland in 2002. He was able to spend the last few years in his home in Headland with the support of a wonderful caring group of people; Brenda Williams, Meca Glanton, JoAnna Castor, Nonnie Harrison. Mark Reaves and Terell Hinson.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Dorothy Appling Collier.

Survivors include his son, Gary Collier; daughter in law, Sarah Collier; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Rachel David of Dothan, from two deceased brothers and one sister.
 

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