Thomas C. "T.C." Collier

Thomas C. "T.C." Collier of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Lake Wales Medical Center.

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 an original 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 Purple Heart.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Chambless Collier, in 2007; sisters, Mildred Wade and Bernice Skinner; and 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.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Monday, June 8, 2009 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales. Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery.

To view the webcast of his service, click the link below:
http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/73178

To view his memorial website, click the link below:
http://www.lifetributes.com/ThomasCTCCollier