Joe Frank Colmer, of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the age of 87. He was born October 14, 1933 in Fouke, Arkansas, the last of six children born to Julia Adams and Joe Colmer.
Dad moved to Shreveport from Millard, Nebraska to continue working at Western Electric as a Tool and Die Maker. He retired from the same company that changed names to AT&T and Lucent with 30 years of service. He was an auxiliary policeman of Shreveport, winning Auxiliary Policeman of the Year in 2005. He was a dedicated member of St. Paul Lutheran Church serving as an usher for many years until the church closed. He since became a member of Christ Lutheran Church.
He honorably served in the United States Air Force as mechanic. He enjoyed working on anything and everything. Any time Randy Smith told Dad about a problem or something that need fixing at St Paul’s, Dad would fix it or tell Randy who to call and told him what need to be fixed. He helped many ladies at church, fixing appliances in their homes.
He loved flying and had a Cessna plane at the Shreveport downtown airport. He became an instructor and loved being in the air. He was devastated when he could not fly anymore because of heart issues.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Shawn Bray of Shreveport, Louisiana and Brian Colmer (Beverly) of Bedford, Texas; grandchild, Cecily Colmer, Courtney Colmer (Amy), Chase Bray (Stephanie), Miles Bray (Jacobi) and Kayli Bray; great-grandchildren – Jaicee, Stephen, & Brian Manhard, Johnny Potter, Caleb & Kendall Buresh, Iris Bray, Raeleigh Colmer, Olivia & Forrest Bray; many nieces and nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Colmer; his parents; brothers, Evear Colmer and Ollie Colmer; and sisters Della Lowe, Audie Skinner and Vera Gillenwater.
A visitation for Joe will be held Friday, January 29, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. A celebration of life will occur Friday, January 29, 2021 at 11:30 AM. Interment will follow in Centuries Memorial Park with Air Force Honors and Pastor Perry Culver of Christ Lutheran Church officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons – Chase and Miles Bray; Joey Burroughs, Will Edge, Tim Brobst, and Randy Smith.
We would like to give special thanks to the doctors and nurses who took care of him for the last four months at WK Pierremont and WK South. They would also like to thank the staff at The Guest House.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dad's memory may be made to Building Fund at Christ Lutheran Church, 290 Idema St., Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
