Thomas C. "T.C." Collier of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Lake Wales Medical Center in Lake Wales due to heart failure. He was born in Lake Wales, Florida to Polk County pioneers, Thomas F. Collier and Pearl Whidden Collier on December 21, 1920.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a licensed plumber. He was a member of the West Side Baptist Church where he served in many areas through the years. He was a World War II combat veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He made five combat parachute jumps including the D Day invasion in Normandy, France, the Battle of Bastogne, Belgium and Operation Market-Garden in Holland. He was wounded in Holland and received several combat medals including the Bronze Star.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Chambless Collier, in 2007 and his sisters, Mildred Wade and Bernice Skinner; brothers, Robert A. Collier and Dewey Collier. Survivors include his sons, Thomas F. Collier and Robert Mark Collier both of Lake Wales, 4 Grandchildren, Matthew Collier, Taphney Houk, Amy Mincey and Robby Collier and 5 Great Grandchildren, Dustyn Mincey, Brinsley Houk, Ambrey Houk, Tyler Mincey and Isabella Collier.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a licensed plumber. He was a member of the West Side Baptist Church where he served in many areas through the years. He was a World War II combat veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He made five combat parachute jumps including the D Day invasion in Normandy, France, the Battle of Bastogne, Belgium and Operation Market-Garden in Holland. He was wounded in Holland and received several combat medals including the Bronze Star.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Chambless Collier, in 2007 and his sisters, Mildred Wade and Bernice Skinner; brothers, Robert A. Collier and Dewey Collier. Survivors include his sons, Thomas F. Collier and Robert Mark Collier both of Lake Wales, 4 Grandchildren, Matthew Collier, Taphney Houk, Amy Mincey and Robby Collier and 5 Great Grandchildren, Dustyn Mincey, Brinsley Houk, Ambrey Houk, Tyler Mincey and Isabella Collier.
Thomas C. "T.C." Collier of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Lake Wales Medical Center in Lake Wales due to heart failure. He was born in Lake Wales, Florida to Polk County pioneers, Thomas F. Collier and Pearl Whidden Collier on December 21, 1920.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a licensed plumber. He was a member of the West Side Baptist Church where he served in many areas through the years. He was a World War II combat veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He made five combat parachute jumps including the D Day invasion in Normandy, France, the Battle of Bastogne, Belgium and Operation Market-Garden in Holland. He was wounded in Holland and received several combat medals including the Bronze Star.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Chambless Collier, in 2007 and his sisters, Mildred Wade and Bernice Skinner; brothers, Robert A. Collier and Dewey Collier. Survivors include his sons, Thomas F. Collier and Robert Mark Collier both of Lake Wales, 4 Grandchildren, Matthew Collier, Taphney Houk, Amy Mincey and Robby Collier and 5 Great Grandchildren, Dustyn Mincey, Brinsley Houk, Ambrey Houk, Tyler Mincey and Isabella Collier.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a licensed plumber. He was a member of the West Side Baptist Church where he served in many areas through the years. He was a World War II combat veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He made five combat parachute jumps including the D Day invasion in Normandy, France, the Battle of Bastogne, Belgium and Operation Market-Garden in Holland. He was wounded in Holland and received several combat medals including the Bronze Star.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Chambless Collier, in 2007 and his sisters, Mildred Wade and Bernice Skinner; brothers, Robert A. Collier and Dewey Collier. Survivors include his sons, Thomas F. Collier and Robert Mark Collier both of Lake Wales, 4 Grandchildren, Matthew Collier, Taphney Houk, Amy Mincey and Robby Collier and 5 Great Grandchildren, Dustyn Mincey, Brinsley Houk, Ambrey Houk, Tyler Mincey and Isabella Collier.
