Joey Collier

Joseph Nelson Collier, known to everyone as Joey, left this world on August 7, 2025, in his hometown of Galveston, Texas. Born on October 20, 1963, to David Jack Collier, Sr. and Mary Ann Nelson Collier, Joey's life was a testament to his generous spirit.

Joey's early life in Galveston was marked by his graduation from O'Connell High School, where he excelled in track and field, basketball and football. A lifelong athlete and bartender, Joey moved to Maui, Hawaii as a young man to further his pursuit of bartending, surfing, outrigger canoeing, and scuba diving.

Family was the cornerstone of Joey's life. He shared a sweet, romantic connection with his wife, Jan Inlow Collier whom he married in 2014. They have four daughters Dezirea Acker of Flagstaff, Arizona, Jessye Acker Garcia Posadas of Maui, Hawaii, Reid Waechter of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Nicole Richardson of Galveston. He was excited to welcome sons in law Felipe Garcia Posadas and David Richardson to the family in recent years. Joey had one granddaughter, Layla Rayne Gonzales of Galveston and was looking forward to many more. Joey was a loving brother to Becky Collier and Cissy Collier Oldner, and a respected brother-in-law to Chris Oldner and Earl Nash. His bond with his family was unbreakable, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Jack Collier, Jr., and his parents, David Jack Collier, Sr. and Mary Ann Nelson Collier.

Professionally, Joey was a beloved iconic bartender at The Press Box a sports bar popular among Galveston locals. In fact he was recently named the longest serving bartender on Post Office Street. Joey's presence there was more than just a job; he made his regular customers feel at home and important by remembering their preferred beverage and details about their lives. His customers would bring him t-shirts from their travels all over the world to add to his collection.

Joey worked hard and could be found helping his neighbors whether it was cutting grass or lending a hand on the beach or wherever was needed. For decades he poured energy, sweat and kindness into making his hometown a better, more beautiful place. He never saw these acts as work, but as a way of life and a reflection of his deep love for the people and the place that raised him.

Though he made his home away from the islands, he always carried Maui in his heart. Since leaving he returned many times with his beloved Jan, cherishing each visit and the memories he made there. When the devastating fire tore through Lahaina-almost two years to the day before his passing-he poured himself into helping from afar working with other Galvestonians to raise much needed funds for those who had lost so much. His love for Lahaina and its people was unwavering and his actions spoke louder than words ever could.

Joey's interests were a reflection of his love for life's simple pleasures. His romantic gestures to Jan were legendary and hard for his friends and family to match. He found joy in being home for the nightly news, cooking candlelit dinners for Jan, tending to his garden, taking care of many pets and especially keeping up with college football. He kept a TV on in the garage and hosted many friends and family there to watch football or just to hang out. These moments, though ordinary, were where Joey found his greatest contentment.

Joey's family will receive visitors beginning at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, August 12, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A rosary will begin at 7:30 pm.

Funeral mass will be 12:00 noon, Wednesday, August 13, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with burial following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Galveston Island Humane Society, 6814 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77554.

Pallbearers will be Rudy Betancourt, David Richardson, Tom Croft, Trevor Fanning, Travis Fanning, Charlie Morovich, Felipe Garcia Posadas, and Will Hillebrand. Honorary pallbearers will be Kurt Koopmann, Earl Nash, Chris Oldner, Kent Dodge, and Stephen Ward.

As we bid farewell to Joey, we hold tight to the memories he leaves behind, knowing that his legacy will continue to inspire us to enjoy the everyday and make the ones that you love feel special. Joey will be so very missed.