Before age eighteen RJ was a cross-country runner, honor student, cadet, artist, author, poet, actor, singer, pianist, and all things creative. His adult years were about as difficult as they come – struggling with mental illness and caring for his mother during her slow decline. However, he maintained a strong interest in music of all kinds, Japanese anime, cooking, hiking, and good coffee. RJ loved his family and his dogs.
Surviving RJ are his father; stepmother Jennifer Colgate; half-sister, Amanda Colgate (Ryan Beadle); grandmother, Edice Colgate; aunts, Susan Colgate and Carol Colgate (Robert Price); four cousins; and one niece.
The family expresses appreciation to RJ’s counselor, his neighbors, and all those who helped him through the hard years.
Services will be held Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia, at 6:00 p.m., with visitation beginning one hour earlier at 5:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to NAMI.
May he rest in peace.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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