James Hervey Collier, Jr., 87, of Clarksville, TN, completed his earthly journey on October 22, 2022. Devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a man of strong faith, he was known to his loved ones by many names: Jimmy, Daddy, Papa Bear, Jim-Bo Beep, and man with the heart full of love and pockets full of chewing gum.
Jimmy was born in Clarksville, TN to James Hervey Collier, Sr. and Dorothy Smith Collier, and he grew up with his beloved sister, Betty Collier Nussbaumer. He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1953, where he participated in basketball, football, and track. After high school, he attended Austin Peay State College to study Accounting. This sparked his passion for helping people through numbers and most importantly teaching everyone the very important answer to “what is 25 x 25?”
Jimmy was a certified public accountant and member of what was once Madison Street Church of Christ where he was a deacon and treasurer for over 40 years. He loved spending time with his family, Saturdays gardening or fishing, and had a huge heart for rescuing animals (a trait he made sure to instill in all of his children and grandchildren), always making sure his dogs were well-fed, bellies scratched, and tails wagging! “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
He is preceded in death by both parents, daughter Patricia Ann Collier and son Nickey Ray Collier. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty Smith Collier, children, James Hervey Collier III (Velvet), Cathy June Mimms (Bobby), Christy LeeAnn Gossett (Paul), and Angela Marie Reynolds (Patrick); sister, Betty Nussbaumer; grandchildren, John Mimms (Rebeca), Mary Beth Suiter (Joseph), Benjamin Mimms (Courtney), Katherine Mimms, Katie Collier, Jay Collier, Will Collier, Sarah Collier, Hannah Collier, and Abigail Gossett; great-grandchild, Griffin Suiter.
Pallbearers will be James (Jay) Collier, IV, Will Collier, Paul Gossett, Benjamin Mimms, Bobby Mimms, Patrick Reynolds, and Joseph Suiter.
Visitation will be held at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home in Clarksville, TN on Friday, October 28 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, October 29 from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A graveside funeral service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Saturday, October 29 at 12:00 p.m. His family will be present to welcome loved ones and to celebrate his treasured life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic or Lylewood Christian Camp.
Online condolences may be made at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com.