Leonard Franklin McCollum Jr.

LEONARD FRANKLIN McCOLLUM, JR., a "starlight" whose presence glowed brightly among family and friends for 76 years, died peacefully in his sleep while taking a nap on April 5, 2008. He had not been ill, had been happy and playful at breakfast, and then during a nap slipped gently back into the arms of God. Our deep sense of loss is buoyed by our wonderful memories of a loving husband, father, grandfather and a dedicated friend. He treated each day of life as a prized gift, devoting his time to loving and caring for his family and friends, and giving support and comfort to all he came in contact with. We were blessed by his unwavering sense of enthusiasm, his extraordinary smile, twinkling blue eyes, humor and quick wit, as well as his personal dignity, and strength. He brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. He was a child of God in heart, spirit and though doing God's work throughout his life in the way he interacted with people. He shared the true meaning of "unconditional love" with all of his family and friends. He will be remembered most for his bright spirit, warm heart, and the inner joy of life that radiated with every smile and kind word. Frank was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 19, 1931. He was spunky little boy, blessed with a 1ife1ong curiosity to understand new things. He spent his young preschool years in Tulsa, and his elementary and prep school years in New York City, where his father was head of worldwide production for Standard Oil of New Jersey during the war, and later was President and Chairman of Conoco. Frank treasured his summers spent on his grandparent's ranch near Yancey and Hondo. He graduated from SMU and attended Harvard Business School. He worked for Cities Service briefly in Bartlesville, and then Hobbs, New Mexico. He moved to Valdosta, Georgia and Winter Park, Florida, where he was involved in the nitrogen, fertilizer business. He returned to Houston and was one of the founders of Capital National Bank, which later became MBank, He was on the boards of Braniff International Airlines, Methodist Hospital, Rowan Drilling, South Texas Drilling, St. John School, and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. He as Chairman of Banque Paribas Texas, and later was in the Securities business with Nations Bank. At the time of his death he was enjoying working with new technologies in the fields of air and water purification. His spearheading of the effort to establish the first quiet zone in the country (when, trains would not blow their horns) has resulted in countless people having restful nights and pleasant days in their neighborhoods. Frank gave his insight, good sense, Engineering skills and considerable time to many community projects, working with Pam Holm and her staff, the railroad, and the neighbohood. We will miss his strength, his conviction, his sense of humor and his smile. He was engaging, gracious, curious and warm. On January 28, 1979 he married Lauran Litton Garth and they spent 30 wonderful years together. Theirs was a great love, filled with much affection and humor. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Margaret Laura Wilson McCollum and Leonard Franklin McCollum, and his brothers-in-law, Lutcher Brown, Chester Goldman, Hugo Neuhaus, and Robert Jenney. He is survived by, his wife, Lauran McCollum, his daughter, Melissa McCollum Moss, her husband Peter Chadwick Moss, and their children, Chadwick Philemon Moss and Reed McCollum Moss. He is also survived by his sister Olive McCollum Jenney, and her children (the offspring of Lutcher Brown), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, son Luis Brown of Montevideo, Uruguay, wife Carol, children Stephanie (husband Alfredo and baby Alfredo), Patrick, Christopher and Victoria, daughter Emily Brown of Montevideo, Uruguay, children, Gustavo, Emilita, and Christian. Son Len Brown of Paris and Rio de Janeiro, son Fred Brown of Austin, and his wife Diane, and daughter Rachel. He is also survived by his first wife, Renvia Jernigan Lander of Curo, mother of their daughter, Melissa Moss. Also by his many cousins,including Bill McCollum of Houston, and JoAnn Heiligman of Yancey, and by his treasured friend Bob Robertson. And by his devoted Ruby Young and Murphy. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at 1 PM at Saint John The Divine Church at the corner of River Oaks Blvd. and Westheimer. The family requests any memorial donations to Saint John's School, Attention Advancement Office, 2401 Claremont Lane, Houston, TX 77019.