Colin Malcolm MacRae

Colin was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on January 2, 1939, to a Scottish father and an English mother. After a short stint in Halifax, Yorkshire, where he attended Heath Grammar School, founded in 1585, Colin grew up in Folkstone, Kent, where he attended a much newer school, The Harvey Grammar School, founded in 1674. Colin excelled in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities, playing cricket, football and hockey, and even running on the track team as well. Colin remained a member of the Old Harveians Association until he died. After grammar school, Colin became the first member of his family to go to college when he attended Imperial College in London. Colin worked as a bus conductor in London during the summers to help defray the costs of belonging to the golf team, which was responsible for its own expenses. His stories of golf team road trips were legendary.

After graduating from Imperial College, Colin began his petroleum engineer career with BAPCO in Bahrain, where he made life-long friends in the vibrant “ex-pat” community. It was also in Bahrain that Colin met the love of his life, Sally Jane Broomhead, whom he married in June 1965. (Colin brought his golf clubs to the Middle East, finishing runner-up in both the Bahrain and Kuwait Opens in 1966, and again in the Kuwait Open in 1967.) After they left Bahrain, Colin and Sally traveled the world together as Colin was transferred for his job with Baker Oil Tools. They lived in Australia for two years and Singapore for two more before returning to Horning, England in 1973. The following year they moved to a new home in Worlingham, Suffolk, which they named “Wormwood Scrubs” after the famous English prison. It was in Worlingham that Colin and Sally first began making their own wines. There were two – the aptly named “Red Death” and “White Death,” which were often the catalyst for neighborhood-wide parties.

In January 1980, Colin, Sally and their three children moved to The Woodlands, and stayed. Colin retired on his 60th birthday, but worked as a consultant for more than 20 years, developing an expertise in creating and drafting technical manuals.

Colin traveled all over the world, both for business and pleasure. In all, he visited 119 different countries. He also took his family on epic family vacations to such places as Austria, St. Lucia and Kenya, often for weeks at a time. He also visited family and friends in the UK almost annually until he was over 80.

Colin was a devoted family man. He adored Sally, always bringing her flowers when he returned from a business trip. He also was a kind and thoughtful father, always willing to help with homework, attending Indian Princesses events, and supporting all three children in all their endeavors. He also relished his role as Uncle Colin/Uncle Bubba/Grandpa, hosting beloved nieces from around the world, and doting on his five grandchildren.

After Sally passed away in 2011, Colin stayed in The Woodlands. He always enjoyed his walks on the golf course and visiting with his neighbors, as well as his role as adopted grandfather for children in the neighborhood.

In the fall of 2020, when the family was advised Colin needed round-the-clock care, he moved to assisted living at Spring Creek Village. He thrived there initially, but eventually the “Long Goodbye” of dementia took over.

Colin is preceded in death by his father, John Alexander MacRae; mother, Sybil Taylor; brother and sister-in-law Ken and Jo MacRae; wife, Sally; and daughter Helen. He is survived and remembered by sons Andrew and Duncan, daughters-in-law Joanne and Asa, and grandchildren Kate, Reece, Ryan, Avery and Owen.

The family is especially grateful to the wonderful staff at Spring Creek Village and the extraordinary providers of Devotion Hospice.

The Celebration of Colin's Life will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at Forest Park The Woodlands located at 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas 77384. Following the service, the family would like to express their love for you by having you join them for a reception in the R.L. Wood Event Room at Forest Park The Woodlands.

Please share your fond memories and kind expressions of sympathy with the MacRae family at forestparkthewoodlands.com.

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home is honored to serve this family.