Ewing Labron Collier

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ewing Labron Collier was born April 19, 1946 in Peakland, TN to James Clifford Collier and Anna Lee Collier.  He grew up with a thirst for knowledge, spirituality, and integrity.  His favorite childhood memories revolve around Bible camp at Camp Cedine in East Tennessee. He graduated valedictorian from J. L. Cooke High School, class of 1965, in Athens, TN. He  loved helping people and building things. He departed this life on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.  He was an active Deacon at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Grambling, LA. He truly loved the month of June and celebrating Juneteenth Day.

In June 1969, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction from Tuskegee Institute.  He was famous for saying “T.I. till the day I die.” His actions reflected the esteem he held for his alma mater as he was a consistently generous donor to Tuskegee University and was a Presidential Eminent Associate, a giving program established in 1965.

In 1969, Collier was commissioned in the United States Air Force through Air Force ROTC Detachment 015.  In 1977, he received a Master of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University near Chanute Air Force Base.   He spent 22 dynamic years in service to the United States of America and served during the Vietnam War. He received countless military honors. He traveled extensively in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Once he retired from the Air Force, he worked for several HBCUs including Talladega College, Southern University New Orleans, and the beloved Grambling State University. For many years, he operated an LLC for Water Treatment.  He was proud to be certified in this area, and consistently pursued professional development.

Ewing was committed to giving back to the communities that shaped him and he believed deeply in social justice. A lifetime member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, he pledged at Tuskegee Institute in 1967.  He was the financial secretary of his alumni chapter in Grambling, LA.  He was also a 33 degree Mason with the Evangelist Prince Hall Masonic Lodge of Grambling.  He was a staunch supporter of Grambling State University and worked tirelessly in maintaining the legacy of Eddie Robinson through the Eddie Robinson Museum on Grambling’s campus. He also served on domestic violence committees and was a volunteer deputy sheriff with Lincoln Parish for many years. Moreover, he was active with the Kiwanis Club and the American Legion, to name a few of his commitments to others.

He was a blessed husband and a very handsome and charismatic man, a true officer and a gentleman. On April 6, 2024, he married his beloved wife, Rita Hood Collier.  Prior to this union, he was married to Carolyn Douglass Collier for over twenty years. She preceded him in death in 2020.  In 1968, he married his college sweetheart, Gwendolyn Slayton Collier. Together, they had three children,  Dr. Rhonda Collier, Bruce Collier and Timothy Collier.   He was also a beloved father of several bonus children including Tiffani B. James Smith (Kori), Brandon James (Kameka), Delvin Boatner, Dennard (Chasity), Donovan X (Brittney) and William Kometa (Lesley).  He had two forever daughters-in-law Kameha Collier and Rachel Collier.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his very distinguished siblings James Collier, Ronald Collier, Kerry Collier, and Clifredia Collier Eskridge. He is also preceded in death by his beloved brothers and sister-in-law, Terrance Wallace, Darcus Haney, Eric Wallace, Kela Wallace, and Kevin Wallace of Baton Rouge, LA.

He is survived by his devoted siblings, Cynthia Collier Bowen, Tabitha Collier Cox (Ronald Cox), Karen Collier-Walker, Deirdre Siler (Stewart Siler), Christopher Stone, Terrence Collier, and Sandra Collier-Sheets. He is also survived by his step-mother, Sallie Mae Collier, who resides in Harriman, TN. 

Ewing Collier loved his children, but he absolutely adored his grandchildren:  Evan Collier, Erin Collier, Bruce Collier Junior, Benjamin Collier,  Janay Collier and Jalen Collier.  He doted on his bonus grandchildren including Kori Addison Smith, Harper James, April Murray, Zariel Turner, Zaila Turner, D’Sani Walker, Darrell Boatner, D’Layni Boatner, D’Aliyah Boatner,  Daisy Boatner, Dylan Kometa, and Dior Kometa. He had one adorable bonus great-grandchild: D'Laya Wright. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters in-law including Glinda Powers, Dannie Wallace, Marlene Jolla (Leon) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Adrian Joseph (Gary) of Port Allen, LA.  He had a host of special nieces and nephews including Melanie Eskridge and Antonia Brown of Rockwood, TN.

The Collier family would like to thank Mount Zion Baptist Church, Baton Rouge General Hospital, St. Francis Hospital Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospice-The Carpenter’s House.

A memorial service and military honors will be provided for Retired Lt. Colonel Ewing L. Collier at 11amCST at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Grambling, LA on Friday, June 27, 11amCST. Address: 2586 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Grambling, LA 71245.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tuskegee University in memory of Ewing L. Collier.

Division of Development and Alumni Engagement Tuskegee University

PO Box 1304 Tuskegee Institute, AL 36087 Place in memoriam of: LTC Ewing L. Collier 

Visit  https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/give 

In the Designation section select "TU Global Office Fund” (Study Abroad). Next go to the Tribute section and select the box for (honor, memory, support)-select memory. After checking the box select "In Memory" from the drop down you will be prompted to enter the name- LTC Ewing L. Collier.

For questions, contact Dr. Rhonda Collier at drrhondacollier@yahoo.com.

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