Jay Collier

August 1, 1933 - November 27, 2021

J.N. “Jay” Collier III, 88, of Silsbee, TX, passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Jay was born on August 1, 1933, in Silsbee to Jacqueline Blackwell and Richard Warren Collier.

Jay was full-heartedly known as Jaybird to his closest friends, students, and relatives alike. At an early age, Jay had an egregious appreciation for classical music that his mother Jacqueline Collier encouraged Jay to pursue with great intention. After graduating from Silsbee high school, Jay attended Lamar University from 1950-1951 as a music major. He transferred to the University of Houston and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in piano performance. In 1955, Jay attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas and received his master’s degree in music in piano performance. Jay later retired as a music professor from Lamar University after teaching over forty years of music history and theory during his tenure at Lamar. Jay’s passion and love for teaching piano were never short-lived as he continued to teach private lessons to all of his beloved students during his time at Lamar and well after his retirement.

Jay also played the organ nearly every Sunday for over fifty years at the Silsbee First United Methodist Church, where Jay was always spiritually at home and recently at the Silsbee First Presbyterian Church. Jay’s other hobbies and passions were the meticulous upkeep of his yard, handloading the perfect hunting loads for his family and friends and spending his weekends at the 100- & 1-gun club where he could find time to unwind and relax. Jay was a family-centered man who loved spending time with all his family members whenever possible. Jay and his grandson Wesley experienced many excursions together, from hunting trips to South Texas and visiting his son Perry in Missouri for their yearly hunting adventure.

Jay is survived by his son, Perry Collier and his wife, Jodi, of Birch Tree, Missouri; grandsons, Richard Wesley Collier and his wife, Vanessa; Dustin Price and his wife, Lindsey; granddaughter, LeeAnn Lewis and her husband, Adam; great-granddaughters, Madison Reese Collier and Jordan Lewis; great-grandsons, Jett Price and Duke Price; numerous cousins; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, wife of over sixty-five years, Patsy Perry Collier, grandson Jay Collier, sister, Suzanne Golden; brother, Richard “Dickie” Collier; and son, Jess Collier who recently passed away.

A gathering of Mr. Collier’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Silsbee First United Methodist Church, 670 North 5th Street, Silsbee, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s, Crematorium, Beaumont.

Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov

 

 

 

 

Download Program

Memorial Service

First United Methodist Church-Silsbee
  • 670, N 5th St, Silsbee, TX, 77656,
  • December 11, 2021
  • 2:00 pm

Committal

Broussard’s Crematorium
  • 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,

Comments (9)

    Amber (Whitten) Blake says:

    Mr. Collier was a great professor and I enjoyed my piano lessons with him. He was a really special man and helped me so much with my piano. He will be missed. Thank you Mr. Collier for everything!

    Richard Coward says:

    It is a profound loss having Jay go home. A profound loss for us. Jay’s ties to our family go back over 50 years. Both my wife and I took several classes from him at Lamar back in the 60’s. He taught four of our grandsons piano. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May God touch, bless, and encourage you.

    Rhonda Skillern says:

    I took piano lessons from Mr. Collier for about eight years. Exacting yet silly, formal yet funny, he was talented as a musician and teacher. He stretched me by assigning increasingly difficult classical pieces from all eras, but more than that, he helped me develop an artistic sensibility for the rest of my life. I’ve often thought about him. Thank you, Mr. Collier–I’ll never forget you. Perry, I’m so sorry for your loss–sending you condolences and keeping you in my prayers. Your dad made a difference in that town.

    Bonnie Grych says:

    Perry, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers and with you and your family.

    Sheila Parker Lee says:

    Jaybird was one of a kind and will be missed dearly. My daddy done work for him for years for him and Pat. May he rest In Peace.

    Gail Foreman says:

    Jay was one of the most wonderful people you could meet!! I have been his hairdresser and friend for over 30 years. I have enjoyed his friendship, and his great personality. I will miss him so much, friends like that don’t come around very often. My sympathy to all family and friends. God Bless

    Kathleen Gaddy says:

    A lot of fond family memories of Uncle Jay. He was a fun and talented man who will be missed. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
    Kathy

    Nan & Truman Gore says:

    Sending our sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of hearing him play the organ many times.

    Carl and Laura Fontenot says:

    We have wonderful family memories. Uncle Jay was always funny and silly with us. Our prayers for peace for all who knew and will miss him every day. We love you all.

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