Thomas Gene Collum

Mr. Thomas Gene ""Squirrel"" Collum, 74, of Gulfport, MS passed away Friday, May 6, 2011 in Gulfport.
Mr. Collum was born December 3, 1936 in Center, Texas and graduated from Hurst High School in 1954. Tommy or ""Squirrel"", to his friends, served in the United States Air Force for over 23 years where he retired and received numerous awards for his military service to include the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic efforts during the Vietnam War where he served two tours of duty. After his military service, he served honorably with the SEABEES in Gulfport where he retired after 20+ years to enjoy the rest of his life with his many friends and family members where there was always a Miller Lite to be appreciated. ""Squirrel"" was an honorable man of few words but you always knew where you stood with him. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. and Marie Collum, long-time residents of Hurst, Texas.
He was preceded in death by father, J. L. ""Slim"" Collum; mother, Marie Collum; granddaughter, Jennifer Leigh Collum.
Survivors include his wife, Heidi Marie Collum of Gulfport, MS; children, Debra Ann Reasor and husband Buddy of Canyon Lake, TX Thomas Dean Collum of Lockhart, TX, Tony Gene Collum of Lockhart, TX, Troy Lee Collum and wife Peggy of Lockhart, TX, Carolyn Mead of Gulfport, MS; grandchildren, Kerri Lynn Sanderson of Wichita, Kansas, Robert John
Sanderson, Jr. and wife Lori of Wichita, Kansas, Brandon Sean Collum of Lockhart, TX, Seth Christian of Corpus Christi, TX, Elizabeth Wilson of Corpus Christi, TX, Jonathan Surowietz of Gulfport, MS, Jennifer Herring of Lockhart, TX, Savannah Mead of Gulfport, MS; siblings, Grover Wayne Collum and wife Harriet of Bedford, TX and Billy Mack Collum and wife Janie of Rusk, TX; and nine great grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, May 10, 2011 from 5-7 pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport.
The funeral service will be held at 11:30 am, Monday May 16, 2011 at Porter-Loring Funeral Home, 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX.
Tommy's final resting place is located at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas where he will lie with other great American heroes.
Memories and Condolences may be shared with the family at www.riemannfamily.com.