Richard Earl Collier

Richard Earl Collier passed away at the age of 92 on October 11, 2019. Born on March 28, 1927, in St. Louis, MO, to Earl M. Collier and Wilma Pilkenton Collier, Richard moved with his family at the age of 2 to Abilene, TX, where his father served as Administrator of Hendricks Regional Hospital for many years. While in Abilene, Richard followed his father into the medical field, majoring in pre-med at Hardin-Simmons University, where he graduated in 1945. Thereafter, at the age of 18, Richard entered medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas, and earned his medical degree in 1948, while still only 21. Richard pursued his medical career at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, spanning 46 years, beginning in surgery and then specializing in radiology after completing his residency in 1955. Dr. Collier was Chief of Radiation Oncology at Baylor from 1967 to 1996. He was also President of several medical associations, a delegate of the Texas Medical Society, a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, and Diplomat of the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Collier also chaired the Governor's committee to survey cancer centers throughout Texas.

From 1950-1952, during the Korean War, Dr. Collier served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at various locations, including on the USS Noble, a class attack transport ship, as a Navy doctor.

Richard married the love of his life, Marilyn Loomis, in 1950, and they were married for 62 years until her death in 2012. Richard is survived by his two daughters, Vivian Collier O'Dell (Craig) of Beverly Hills, FL, and Barbara Collier Sponberg (Ron) of Houston, along with four grandchildren, Jennifer Sponberg Whalen, Carolyn Sponberg Bagchi, of Houston, Elissa O'Dell of Los Angeles, CA, and Phillip O'Dell of Orlando, FL, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his nieces, Catherine Johnson, Nell Butler, Elizabeth Tamlyn of Dallas, and his nephew, Joseph Butler of Austin. Richard was predeceased by his sister, Earlynn Collier, for whom he provided loving support for many years.

Richard was a man of many talents. He was a voracious reader, an art collector, a gentleman farmer, and a world traveler. His hobbies spanned photography, gardening, piano and painting. He loved dogs and always had them nearby. Most of all, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and Christian. For many years, he attended the Men's class at Park Cities Baptist Church, and was firmly grounded in Bible scripture. During the last years of his life, Richard lived at the Edgemere in Dallas, where he served as the Resident Council Chairman in 2006-2007.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 9, 2019, in the Northwest Highway Chapel at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, immediately followed by a reception in the parlor.

Richard E. Collier will be greatly missed by his many patients, friends and his loving family.