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Leroy Collier Obituary
LEROY H. COLLIER
PORTSMOUTH — Leroy H. Collier, 84, of Portsmouth, Ohio, died peacefully Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at SOMC Hospice surrounded by family and friends.
He was born October 14, 1932 in Greenup County, Kentucky, to the late Cole Collier and Mabel Barber Collier.
He graduated from McKell High School and Rio Grande College, and attended seminary at Oberlin College. He married Betty Jean Halley on December 14, 1951.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Collier; two children, Adolph Collier and Christopher Collier; one grandson, Jacob Rhea; two step-siblings, Ivan Stevens and Lou Pierce; and step-father, Clarence Stevens.
Leroy is survived by one son, Steven Collier of Portsmouth; one daughter, Linda (Tom) Toleman of Wheelersburg, Ohio; four grandchildren; Jacob (Kala) Rhea, Luke Rhea, Will Toleman and Ben ( Robyn) Toleman; four great-grandchildren, Cole Rhea, Shelby Rhea, Alisen Rhea and Ethan Toleman. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Opal Collier; a special friend, Laura Kerr; and a close friend, Darrell Leffingwell.
As a young man, Leroy served as a minister in the Methodist church. With his wife Betty and his children, he settled down in Portsmouth in 1964, where he began working as a real estate broker. He subsequently owned and operated Collier Insurance, Collier Insulation and Collier Ports in Portsmouth, where he continued to live for the rest of his life.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at F.C. Daehler Mortuary Company in Portsmouth with Rev. Tom Charles officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Burial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Daehlers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Barbara
November 3, 2023
We did love you, Leroy.
JUILA Brooks
January 26, 2021
SUCH A WONDERFUL SOUL.
MISS HIM * FAMILY MUCH.
We will see one another again.
Julia Brooks
December 16, 2020
Hopefully we will see one another again someday. You are and was one wonderful human being. Now missed by so many. Certainly a Wonderful Friend.
Julia Leigh Brooks
January 13, 2017
AN ANGEL HAS JUST RETURNED TO HEAVEN .....
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A WONDERFUL SOUL
Julia Brooks
January 13, 2017
I WILL MISS YOU TERRIBLY LEROY YOU WERE ONE OF A KIND ... HAD A HEART OF GOLD ....
Opal cox Collier
December 23, 2016
Remembering , ( MY ) Leroy ,
Well I begin by saying we met 17 + years ago ••
16 of which we were married . I guess I'd begin with your words , they were , Opal , the first day you walked into my office , I knew I'd met the woman I wanted to marry I'd laugh & you'd say NO, it's true
You called me your Raven , & always smiled
I called you my Eagle & wrote you a story , that to my knowledge , one will still find inside a pocket of your medicine bag You CHERISHED it.
Well my Eagle , now , may you soar high & fly with the angels ,
To a place , where many loved ones are waiting, you will be happy & young & strong again
I am so thankful YOUR last day of awareness
You reached for my hand and we held to our own special time and moment in life . You always loved for me to just touch you , I caressed your hair , your face & you were peaceful . That was OUR TIME .
You created and did many things in life , I always admired your special mind , your creativity
We traveled many miles together , in our lifetime
Went thru many illnesses , trials & Joy together
That's the difference in a friend and a real life, , that a man & his WIFE share , GOD , holds their ( story of their journey ) You are forever SAFE NOW WITH HIM , so I use your own words , as you'd speak to me
I say goodbye dear , from ( YOUR OPAL ) with love.
Opal Collier
December 23, 2016
Leroy and I were married for over 16 years , I knew him 17 , in other words we spent many years of our lifetime together•••I was with him thru these last trying long weeks in any way I could support & love , or help him , I did••• He & I had a bond , that transcended
Life's issues But was forever ,
I thank God I was with him his last coherent day , and with the last TO leave him as he left for his last time ...Friends are Special & we thank God for them But the feelings We shared , were ours alone
Sleep well , with the Angels , & then rejoice with those you've love , there waiting for you
As you would say to me , your FOREVER love , Opal
Collier ,
Jim Kerr
December 23, 2016
Our prayers are with the family. Leroy was a great guy and a very good friend. He will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace.
Laura Kerr
December 23, 2016
Leroy Collier was a very special person ! He will forever be missed ! God be with you always !
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915 9Th St, Portsmouth, OH 45662
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