Mr. Jack Colson, 92, of Fernandina Beach peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Colson was born in Folkston, GA on June 7, 1928, to the late Thomas Hampton and Helen Higginbotham Colson.
He was a “Jack of all trades”. During his lifetime he took on many titles: welder, aircraft mechanic, ship builder, millwright, plumber, carpenter, and paper mill man. He could build or fix anything, but if you asked his family, they would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was being a loving and caring Dad, Grandfather, Father-in-Law, and Uncle. Mr. Colson will be remembered as a gentle soul who always had a soft spot for children and animals.
During World War II, because he was too young to serve in the military and his mother would not give her permission for him to enlist, he found alternative ways to serve his country. He forged his birth certificate at the young age of 15 and began building Liberty Ships in Brunswick, Georgia and he later served in the Merchant Marines.
Mr. Colson begin his long career in the paper industry with Rayonier when he came to Fernandina Beach in the late 1940’s. Over his career he worked at paper mills in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. He and his family relocated back to Fernandina Beach in 1981 where he eventually retired from Jefferson-Smurfit (WestRock) as Safety Manager.
Being a family man, his hobbies included doing whatever his wife loved to do. Together, they lovingly built their home on Piney Island where he enjoyed working in his yard. He had many other hobbies through the years, such as square-dancing, flying airplanes, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing and watching the Alabama Crimson Tide play football. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach since 1981 and spoke fondly of his BYKOTA Sunday School class members. He was a wonderful role model for everyone who met him.
He was preceded in death in 2010 by his wife of over 60 years, Frances Fleming Colson, his daughter, Jacqueline Colson in 2018, and his siblings, Jessie “Big Sister” Wrench, June Vaughn, Mary Belle “Betty” Aldridge, Arthur “Bubba” Colson, Adrian Colson, Robert Colson, and Paul “Sonny” Colson.
He leaves behind his two sons, Blair Colson of Miramar Beach, FL, and Scott (Rebecca) Colson of Fernandina Beach; a son in law, Gary Walkin of Snowflake, AZ; his granddaughters, Emily Colson and Olivia Colson, both of Fernandina Beach; a grandson, Alex Hadjidakis of Atlanta, GA; a great grandson, Apollo Hadjidakis of Atlanta, GA, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Colson will be laid to rest beside his wife at Bosque Bello Cemetery in a graveside service on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Chaplain Jackie Hayes of Community Hospice will officiate. The family will honor Mr. Colson’s wish and practice social distancing during the service.
The family will forever be grateful for all the support they received from Community Hospice of Northeast Florida during Mr. Colson’s illness and requests that in lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions, in his name, to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.