Joseph Edward Colson

Joe was born on April 28, 1981 to Steven and Leisa Colson in Port Arthur, TX. They lived in Nederland, TX until moving to Spring, TX in 1996 where Joe graduated from Klein Oak High School in 2000. That same year, Joe enlisted in the United States Army and completed Infantry Advanced Individual Training in Fort Benning, GA. He was stationed at Ledward Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany where he was assigned to 1st Infantry Division, 1/26 Blue Spaders as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver, Gunner, and dismount Infantryman. Joe served his country honorably, and always counted his brothers-in-arms among his truest friends.

Joe was many things to many people, but his most cherished title was “Dad”. His life forever changed when his first son was born in 1998, and from that moment until his last he was completely devoted to his children. On May 12, 2006 he married his soul mate and best friend, Amanda (Anderson) Colson, and together they had two more children. As well as a devoted father, Joe was an honorable and humble man, an unflinchingly loyal friend, and was exceedingly gifted in so many ways. He worked so hard to provide for his family, and took tremendous pride in being able to do so. Joe truly lived for his family, and he loved them above all else.

Second only to Joe’s love for his family was his love for music. He played guitar beautifully, and usually had his acoustic within an arm’s reach. Because of his incredible ear for music, he was able to teach himself new songs and play new instruments with uncanny ease. In 2006, he was able to fulfill a childhood dream when he and his close friends Billy Martin, Jeremy Freeman, and Aaron Foster started a band. They played locally for several years and had many great times together. All three of Joe’s children share his love for music, and were always his biggest fans. His oldest son has followed in his father’s musical footsteps, playing in a band and picking up new skills with ease. Joe’s younger two children show the same knack for music and he loved being able to watch as their individual talents began to emerge.

After being discharged from the Army in 2003, Joe worked as an automotive technician for 3 ½ years before earning his Master ASE and Master Toyota certifications in 2007. He worked at Fred Haas Toyota for ten years before moving on to North Houston CarMax in 2013, and made many great friends along the way.

Joe is survived by his wife, Amanda, and children Drake, Adrianna, and Gabriel, parents Steven and Leisa, all of Spring, TX. He is also survived by grandmother Lillian Marie Colson of Houston, sister Carly Vondra of Odessa, TX, former brother-in-law Jeff Vondra of Grapeland, TX, three nieces, three nephews, and a slew of wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends. He counted each of them among his greatest blessings and was so grateful for their love and support. Joe was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Edward and Wilma Jordan , and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Ellis Colson.

The Colson family would like to take this opportunity to thank all of Joe’s coworkers and friends at CarMax for their support during his illness; Dr. David Ellent and his staff for their compassion and care; the nurses, doctors and staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Lymphoma/Myeloma Unit; as well as Billy Martin and the Bareback Bar and Icehouse staff in Spring, TX for the fundraising benefit held for Joe and his family in November.

Funeral services will be held at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home on January 16, 2015, located at 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060.

Visitation will be from 10 A.M. until 11:30 A.M., and a Celebration of Life Memorial Service, lead by Jason Muniz, a long-time friend of the family, will begin at 11:30. Directly following the memorial service, a funeral procession will take Joe to the Houston National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veteran’s Memorial Dr.