Obituary for Jack Charles Colville
Jack Charles Colville, devoted husband and father, businessman, civic leader and friend to many, passed away on October 25, 2011, at the age of ninety-one in Altus, Oklahoma.
Jack was born in Elmer, Oklahoma on February 15, 1920 as the only child of E. H. (Hinkle) and Eva Harp Colville. He attended elementary school in Elmer, and graduated from Harmony High School in 1937. In 1941 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil Science and a Minor in Chemistry from Oklahoma A&M University, and was selected to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary scholastic society for his academic achievements.
During World War II, Jack served his country as a Squadron Aircraft Armament Officer in the 353rd Squadron, 386th Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force. One of his duties was the security of the highly secret Norden Bombsight which was kept under heavy guard in a bombproof vault.
He served fifteen months in England and one month in France. Soon after his Group moved across the Channel to an abandoned German air field in France, the First Air Force offered him the position of Liaison Gunnery Officer headquartered at Mitchell Field, New York. He returned to the United States and traveled the eastern seaboard on special orders until the end of the war.
Returning to Oklahoma, he resumed his position as Soil Scientist and Irrigation Farm Planner in the development of innovative agricultural irrigation
In 1948 he joined Jack Renfro in the vegetable growing, packing, and shipping business. They shipped produce from Altus, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. Following Renfro"s death, Jack and his cousin Ed Wilson, Jr., formed Colville & Wilson, Inc. The partners decided to specialize in red potatoes and became recognized as one of the premium shippers of fresh market red potatoes in the produce industry. The company shipped potatoes and other produce nationwide and to Canadian destinations.
Jack walked his journey with his beloved wife and life companion Charlcie May, "Pat" Patterson, whom he married only weeks before he boarded the Queen Elizabeth troop ship with twenty-two thousand other American soldiers and staff also bound for war-torn Europe. Pat and Jack were married sixty-eight years, and their love took sprout and grew as each year passed.
Colville"s community and leadership achievements were profound. He nurtured young minds for some thirty years during his service on the Altus Board of Education. His innovation and commitment to quality education still reverberate throughout the community. He served on the Oklahoma State University Athletic Council, the Board of Directors of the Texas Citrus and Vegetable Association, and Chairman of the Potato Division of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. He received the Oklahoma State University Distinguished Alumnus Award and was inducted into the Texas Citrus and Vegetable Association Hall of Fame. He also served on the Perkins School of Theology Board of Advisors of Southern Methodist University. He was a member of the Altus Masonic Lodge 62 for sixty-five years.
Jack experienced unbridled joy from and devotion to his son Dwight and daughter Jacquelyn. He took great pride in their lives and those of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Everyone who knew Jack recognized, like a familiar song, the music of his laugh, the sparkle of his eyes, and the childlike joy he drew from living. He spent a good deal of his life laughing and marveling at the joy he took from family, friends and the experiences of living. If you knew Jack, even for just a short time, you can close your eyes and hear his laughter even now.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Oklahoma State University. He recalled as a college student mowing lawns in Stillwater on Saturday afternoons and hearing cheers ringing from Lewis Stadium, longing for the day he could afford to purchase a ticket. He and Pat ended up cheering for the Cowboys at football, basketball, and baseball games, wrestling matches and golf tournaments in Stillwater and throughout America for half a century. All the contests were wins for Jack. He was a devoted supporter of the Altus School system. His leadership and persistence led, with the help of his friend Myron Roderick, to the founding of the Altus High School wrestling program.
Jack was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Altus for sixty-four years, where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility, including many terms on the Finance Committee. Jack and his buddies were fixtures in the back of the church sanctuary each Sunday morning as they greeted parishioners, enjoyed the friendship of fellow ushers, occasionally playing a mischievous prank on the preacher, although they always entered the sanctuary with respect and reverence.
Jack seemed to be shrouded by joy and light. His laugh and positive attitude were infectious, and they radiated to the world through his eyes and smile.
Jack"s life was one of grace and joy.
Jack is survived by Pat, his wife of sixty-eight years, son Dwight and wife Kathie and their daughter Maggie of Canyon Texas; daughter Jacquelyn and husband James of Altus and their children Holly Payne of Mesa, Scott Coburn Parrish and wife Jill of Phoenix, Murry Parrish and wife Bobbie of Oklahoma City; great grandchildren Gracie, Clayton and Justin Payne, Will and Lucy Parrish, and Jackson and Madison Parrish; nephew Bill Patterson of Loganville, Georgia, and Kim Parrish and Caroline Parrish..
Memorial gifts may be made to the Family Life Center Maintenance Fund of the First United Methodist Church, Altus.
Interment will be at the Altus Cemetery at 11:00 on Friday and the memorial service will be at 1:30 at the First United Methodist Church, Altus with Rev. David Player officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
On-line tributes can be made to the family at www.lowell-tims.com
10/28/2011
1:30 PM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
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Jack was born in Elmer, Oklahoma on February 15, 1920 as the only child of E. H. (Hinkle) and Eva Harp Colville. He attended elementary school in Elmer, and graduated from Harmony High School in 1937. In 1941 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil Science and a Minor in Chemistry from Oklahoma A&M University, and was selected to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary scholastic society for his academic achievements.
During World War II, Jack served his country as a Squadron Aircraft Armament Officer in the 353rd Squadron, 386th Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force. One of his duties was the security of the highly secret Norden Bombsight which was kept under heavy guard in a bombproof vault.
He served fifteen months in England and one month in France. Soon after his Group moved across the Channel to an abandoned German air field in France, the First Air Force offered him the position of Liaison Gunnery Officer headquartered at Mitchell Field, New York. He returned to the United States and traveled the eastern seaboard on special orders until the end of the war.
Returning to Oklahoma, he resumed his position as Soil Scientist and Irrigation Farm Planner in the development of innovative agricultural irrigation
In 1948 he joined Jack Renfro in the vegetable growing, packing, and shipping business. They shipped produce from Altus, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. Following Renfro"s death, Jack and his cousin Ed Wilson, Jr., formed Colville & Wilson, Inc. The partners decided to specialize in red potatoes and became recognized as one of the premium shippers of fresh market red potatoes in the produce industry. The company shipped potatoes and other produce nationwide and to Canadian destinations.
Jack walked his journey with his beloved wife and life companion Charlcie May, "Pat" Patterson, whom he married only weeks before he boarded the Queen Elizabeth troop ship with twenty-two thousand other American soldiers and staff also bound for war-torn Europe. Pat and Jack were married sixty-eight years, and their love took sprout and grew as each year passed.
Colville"s community and leadership achievements were profound. He nurtured young minds for some thirty years during his service on the Altus Board of Education. His innovation and commitment to quality education still reverberate throughout the community. He served on the Oklahoma State University Athletic Council, the Board of Directors of the Texas Citrus and Vegetable Association, and Chairman of the Potato Division of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. He received the Oklahoma State University Distinguished Alumnus Award and was inducted into the Texas Citrus and Vegetable Association Hall of Fame. He also served on the Perkins School of Theology Board of Advisors of Southern Methodist University. He was a member of the Altus Masonic Lodge 62 for sixty-five years.
Jack experienced unbridled joy from and devotion to his son Dwight and daughter Jacquelyn. He took great pride in their lives and those of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Everyone who knew Jack recognized, like a familiar song, the music of his laugh, the sparkle of his eyes, and the childlike joy he drew from living. He spent a good deal of his life laughing and marveling at the joy he took from family, friends and the experiences of living. If you knew Jack, even for just a short time, you can close your eyes and hear his laughter even now.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Oklahoma State University. He recalled as a college student mowing lawns in Stillwater on Saturday afternoons and hearing cheers ringing from Lewis Stadium, longing for the day he could afford to purchase a ticket. He and Pat ended up cheering for the Cowboys at football, basketball, and baseball games, wrestling matches and golf tournaments in Stillwater and throughout America for half a century. All the contests were wins for Jack. He was a devoted supporter of the Altus School system. His leadership and persistence led, with the help of his friend Myron Roderick, to the founding of the Altus High School wrestling program.
Jack was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Altus for sixty-four years, where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility, including many terms on the Finance Committee. Jack and his buddies were fixtures in the back of the church sanctuary each Sunday morning as they greeted parishioners, enjoyed the friendship of fellow ushers, occasionally playing a mischievous prank on the preacher, although they always entered the sanctuary with respect and reverence.
Jack seemed to be shrouded by joy and light. His laugh and positive attitude were infectious, and they radiated to the world through his eyes and smile.
Jack"s life was one of grace and joy.
Jack is survived by Pat, his wife of sixty-eight years, son Dwight and wife Kathie and their daughter Maggie of Canyon Texas; daughter Jacquelyn and husband James of Altus and their children Holly Payne of Mesa, Scott Coburn Parrish and wife Jill of Phoenix, Murry Parrish and wife Bobbie of Oklahoma City; great grandchildren Gracie, Clayton and Justin Payne, Will and Lucy Parrish, and Jackson and Madison Parrish; nephew Bill Patterson of Loganville, Georgia, and Kim Parrish and Caroline Parrish..
Memorial gifts may be made to the Family Life Center Maintenance Fund of the First United Methodist Church, Altus.
Interment will be at the Altus Cemetery at 11:00 on Friday and the memorial service will be at 1:30 at the First United Methodist Church, Altus with Rev. David Player officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
On-line tributes can be made to the family at www.lowell-tims.com
10/28/2011
1:30 PM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
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