Broadalbin NY - Rev. Earl Edward Colson, 88, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 9, 2023. The son of Arthur and Erdie (Allen) Colson he was born in Edinburg NY on September 3, 1934. He attended Edinburg schools and graduated from Northville Highschool in 1953. Earl truly enjoyed growing up in the Adirondacks, hunting, trapping, fishing, and horseback riding. As a child he attended church at the Edinburg Chapel, which was pastored by Lyle Anderson who started the American Mission for Opening Closed Churches (A.M.O.C). Pastor Anderson was truly a Christian example to the Colson household and played a major role in Earl’s life and his attending bible school and going into the ministry himself. After high school he attend and graduated from New Brunswick Bible Institute in Victoria Corner New Brunswick Canada. While in Bible School he met his wife Nany Dow. After graduation he started pastoring with the A.M.O.C. in Thurman NY while he waited for Nancy to graduate from Bible School. After graduation she joined him in Thurman and the two served for 56 years together in ministry in churches in Maine and New York. For many years he was a bi-vocational pastor working for the New York State Conservation Department, and doing carpentry on the side. He faithfully pastored the, Edinburg Hill Church, in Edinburg NY, the Conklingville Community Church, Conklingville NY, Thurman Baptist Church, in Thurman NY, The Weathersfield Springs Community Church, in Weathersfield Springs NY, First Summit Baptist Church in Charlotteville NY, East Brunswick Baptist Church in Brunswick Maine, and the Adirondack Baptist Church, in Gloversville NY. He was a member of the West Gorham Union Church.
While in Bible School Earl had applied to join the African Inland Mission to serve as a missionary in Africa. Unfortunately, he contacted Tuberculosis while in school and it prohibited his being able to go to Africa. Even though he was not able to go overseas, foreign missions was always dear to his heart, and he prayed and financially supported missions his entire life.
Earl always enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and just enjoying the Lord’s creation. This is a passion that he passed on to many of his children as well.
He was predeceased by his two brothers, Robert, and Arthur Colson, and a granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife , Nancy Dow Colson of 63 years, his children, Earl Timothy Colson, of Costa Rica, CSM (ret) Thomas Colson and his wife Beverly of Stafford VA, Sharon Kirk and her husband Kevin of Lisbon ME, Jonathan Colson and his wife Kerry of Portland ME, Mark Colson and his wife Susan of Hutchinson KS, Samuel Colson of Portland ME, Aminta Matthews and her husband David of Harpswell, Rev Nathan Colson and his wife Rebecca Merryman of Westbrook ME, and Rev Adam Colson and his wife Johanna of Unionville VA, 24 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters, Alice Frasier, Ruth Robinson, and Vivian Balogh, and many nieces and nephews.
Earl’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth for the compassionate care they provided to him, and the support they offered to his family.
Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 3-5 PM at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at West Gorham Union Church, 190 Ossipee Trail (Route 25) Gorham ME. For those who cannot attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed on the funeral home's FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/jonesrichbarnes. It will start five minutes before the service begins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pastor Colson’s name to East Brunswick Baptist Church, PO Box 336, Brunswick ME 04011, or to The Gideons International (for Bible distribution) P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251 or www.gideons.org
