James Ray "JR" Collier passed away on Friday, November 13, 2021, at home in San Francisco, CA. He peacefully went to his eternal home. Born in Artesia, New Mexico in, 1949, he graduated high school at New Mexico Military Institute and went on to receive a B.A. at the University of Oklahoma earning a degree in Sociology. Accomplished in Oil & Gas, Commercial Real Estate, and Hospitality Financing in his professional career, his spare time was about jazz and music. An accomplished musician who played alto saxophone, clarinet, and piano, he frequented many quartet gigs in the city. He was also proficient with the classical guitar style, traveling to Salamanca, Spain, to learn to play the 6-string instrument and speak Spanish. No instrument was unfamiliar - even the flute. Active as a community member, he loved taking daily walks in his beloved city of San Francisco, often finding a dog or even a pig to pet along the route. As a social member of the Pacific-Union Club, he enjoyed racquetball and squash with friends. Finally, among his many talents, he became a respected sailor of the San Francisco Bay waters and enjoyed navigating through the squalls and dramatic winds of ocean sailing.

As a youngster, he enjoyed horsemanship and raising pigs and sheep, winning agricultural scholarships from the sales in membership of 4H & FFA of Artesia. Taking over the family farm and family business before high school, he managed cable tool bits, the cotton farming operations and was always interested in being outside for chores.

He is survived by Cousins; Toni Jane King Hunt of Carlsbad NM, Ron Collier of Nashville, TN, Cimberlee Collier of Collierville, TN, Chad Collier of Nashville, TN, Carrie Collier Smith of Collierville, TN, Mary D. Collier of Las Vegas, NV, Stirling Spencer of San Francisco, CA, and Christopher Spencer of Hawaii, Timothy D. Collier of Artesia, NM, Cara A. Collier-Corley of Buda, TX, David C. Collier of Cloudcroft, NM, Monica Collier Morgan of Mayhill, NM, Kari Morgan McNicoll of Frisco, TX, Lydia Morgan Driver of Frisco, TX and their families as well as many dear, wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family wishes to express its profound thanks for the companionship and friendship given to JR. He was fortunate to have such great friends!

JR will be cremated and interred at the seas off the Northern California coast.

Memorial contributions may be contributed to Helping Heal the Earth, Central Texas Pig Rescue, or a charity of choice.

Condolences may be expressed online at https://everloved.com/memoria…

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/james-ray-collier/obituary/

Copy