STATESVILLE, NC – Christopher McLauchlin Collier passed away on February 8, 2012 after a brief illness. Chris, son of Judge and Mrs. Robert A. Collier, Jr., was born in Statesville, North Carolina on April 5, 1963.
Chris attended The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, graduating in 1981 where he received the John Roy Baylor Award among other honors. Chris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity serving as president his senior year. He then attended Wake Forest University School of Law and was awarded a Juris Doctor in 1989.
A member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Chris joined the Statesville law firm of Pope, McMillan, Gourley and Kutteh where he practiced law from 1989-93. He became a Prosecutor in the 22nd Judicial District, serving from 1993 – 2001. Governor Mike Easley appointed Chris as a Superior Court Judge in December 2001, he was elected in 2002 and again in 2010 where he was currently serving as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge.
He served as a board member of The Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont. Chris was a member of the St. Andrews Society of North Carolina and member of Broad Street United Methodist Church. Chris had many circles of friends. Chris enjoyed boating and fishing and spent as much time as he could in Wrightsville Beach. He also earned his private pilot’s license.
In addition to his parents, his family includes brothers, Robert Alvis Collier, III (Robb), James Buford Collier (Burr); sisters, Paige Collier Wiseman, and husband Frank, Anne Randall Collier Hollifield, and husband Kevin, Elizabeth Stone Collier Pendleton, and husband Sterling; uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scruggs (Tom and Sissy) and cousins from Dallas, Texas; nieces and nephews, Robert Alvis Collier, IV (Rock), Bristol Marie Collier, William McLauchlin Wiseman (Will), Robert Collier Wiseman, Randall Downing Wiseman, Lauren Jennifer Hollifield, Mary Kate Hollifield, Abigal Ross Hollifield (Abby), Lauchlin Cabot Pendleton (Lauch), and Stone Montgomery Pendleton. Grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Collier, Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Buford A. Stone. Chris was godfather to Kate Elizabeth Riemann, Michael Allen Riemann, Ellison Capers Johnson and Robert Donald Walters.
A memorial service for Chris will be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 315 West Broad Street, Statesville, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont, 1001 Cochran Street, Statesville, NC 28677; Friends of the Animals, PO Box 3937, Mooresville, NC 28117; Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the charity of the donors’ choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com
Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Collier Family.
Dearest Collier Family,
How saddened we all have been by your loss. Stephaine and Elizabeth and I were remembering times we had with your family when we would come into Statesville. What wonderful memories. Our prayers are with you all. God bless
Dede
Barbara,
I was so saddened to hear about the death of your son. Our hearts go out to you and your entire family.
Elaine McArn & Staff
The Needlecraft Center
Davidson, NC
Judge and Mrs. Robert Collier,Jr. Brothers and Sisters, My mother and I are so sorry for your loss. Chris has always been such a good friend. He was there for me when my father past and again when I lost my brother. He always had a warm smile a firm handshake and a true gentleman. I have many fond memories of Chris. I am honored to have known Chris and to call Chris a true friend. My mother wants everyone to know how sorry she feels and most of all to Barbara. Ruth is sorry she’ll be unable to attend tomorrows memorial service because of health reasons. My father Marvin Bondurant had the up-most respect for the Collier family,especially Chris’s grandfather. God Bless you all. Sincerely, John Burt Bondurant
Our condolences to both Judge Collier and to Rob and their families. And to the family of Chris. What a loss, and so young. Hard to understand. Hard to accept.
Jim Dawson & Scott Dawson, St. Andrew’s Society of NC
Robb,
I was saddened to learn of your brother’s death. I pray that God will comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Thanks William, hope all is well with you
My sincere condolenses to all the family members and friends of Judge Collier. Too many times, life is snuffed out too soon and we all wonder. Someday we will know.
May the Lord be with you all in the loss of your loved one and allow Him to keep you in His safe haven until we know when we all see Him. God’s speed.
Heart-felt condolences from the Hedrick family to the Collier family . I did not know Chris, but Stateville friends spoke of him with love and respect. May the peace of Christ be with you.