James Austin Collard

James A. Collard, age 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb 24, 2012, in Houston Texas. He was born in Henry, TN. Jim was a retired Army SFC who served in WWII and Korea and taught Military Science at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. He was Past Commander of VFW Post 8191, Melbourne, FL. He was also an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He loved to play guitar and sing and had a band in the earlier years. He even played on stage at the famous Sloppy Joes in Key West, Fl.

His survivors include his wife Louise Curley Collard, Houston, TX, his children, Patrick Collard, Helan Cox (Lawrence), Mary Boyd (Jim) ,Kathleen Murray, Angela Zeger (Darin) stepchildren, Andrew and Ric Curley, Edyie Sweet,Houston, TX, Sean Curley,Denver, CO, Rose Yeary and Marybeth Miyo (Mark) of Melbourne, FL; brother, Maburn Collard of IN; sisters Dottie Elmore (James) of KY and Brenda Kabler (Wilson) of KY; 22 grand children and 13 great grandchildren.

Services:

Visitation, Feb 29th, from 5-7 P.M., a Vigil will be on March 1st at 10:00 am @ Brookside Funeral Home, Houston TX. A second visitation will be Mar 2nd from 5:30-7:30 P.M @ Beckman -William Funeral Home, Viera, FL. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church, Melbourne, FL on Mar 3rd@10:00 am with burial at FL National Cemetery, Bushnell on Monday, Mar 5th.

Jim was the most generous, gentle soul who was loved by us all and will be so deeply missed but we know he is God’s loving care now.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be Mar 3rd, @ 2: P.M. VFW 8191, Melbourne, FL.