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416th Bombardment Group (L) James Kellam "J.K." Colquitt 1st Lt, Pilot November 5, 1921 - June 3, 2006 668th Bombardment Squadron (L) |
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416th Bombardment Group (L) James Kellam "J.K." Colquitt 1st Lt, Pilot November 5, 1921 - June 3, 2006 668th Bombardment Squadron (L) |
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From the Odessa American, Odessa Texas, 4 June 2006:
James Kellam (J. K.) Colquitt, 84, died peacefully June 3, 2006 at his residence in San Angelo, Texas. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM on June 5, 2006 in the Marfa, Texas cemetery. The services will be directed by Johnson's Funeral Home of San Angelo and a brother in Christ, John Kidd of Odessa will be officiating.
Mr. Colquitt was born on November 5, 1921 in Marfa, TX to Will Kellam Colquitt and Leota Gillett Colquitt. His maternal grandfather was Captain James B. Gillett, famous Texas Rangerand author of "Six Years with the Texas Rangers". He was a devoted husband, a wonderful dad and granddad. He had lived in San Angelo for 19 years. Mr. Colquitt was truly a member of "The Greatest Generation" which was so eloquently chronicled by Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name. He was a product of the Great Depression, a decorated World War II pilot and an entrepreneur who helped to build our country after the war. He attended the A&M College of Texas but quit his sophomore year and shortly thereafter joined the United States Army Air Forces where he became a pilot and was a member of the Ninth Air Force and the 416th Bombardment Group. He flew the A-20 and A-26 attack bombers and successfully completed 65 missions over Europe beginning immediately after D-Day. After the war he owned and operated the Wilson Motor Company in Ozona. He later spent many years with The Western Company in Odessa and Rankin, TX and in 1966 purchased a Gulf Oil service station in Crane, TX where he was the proprietor for over 13 years. Mr. Colquitt finished his career as a drilling and completion consultant in the oil industry and retired to San Angelo in 1987. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Will Milton (Shorty) Colquitt, his stepfather, Lee Wilson, his stepsister, Melba Beeman and his stepbrother Woodrow Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Piper Colquitt of San Angelo, two sons, Kellam and wife Emily of Plano, TX, Jay and wife Constance of Lake Buchanan, TX; three grandsons, Jim and wife Buffi of Houston, TX, Jason of Austin TX and Douglas of Dallas, TX; two granddaughters, Juliana Colquitt Harbig and her husband Björn of Lingen, Germany and Tanja Colquitt of Meppen, Germany; one nephew, Milton Ketchum and wife Patti of Moro, Oregon and one stepsister, Irma Lee Smentek and her husband Bill of Granite Shoals, TX. Mr. Colquitt enjoyed the outdoors ever since his youth where he spent time on his grandfather's and his uncle's ranches in west Texas and New Mexico. He became an avid fisherman, golfer, photographer and hunter but was also interested in technology. He was fascinated with cameras, electronic calculators and in his 60's, 70's, and 80's computers, which he used on a daily basis. During his time in Rankin, Mr. Colquitt was an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America. While in Rankin and Crane Mr. Colquitt was a member of the United Methodist Church and since moving to San Angelo has been a member of the First Christian Church. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. David Harvey for his wonderful care and council throughout the last 10 years; in every respect he added 10 good years to the life of our husband, dad, granddad, uncle and brother. The family would also like to express their appreciation for the kindness and gentleness shown by Hospice of San Angelo and TLC In Home Care during the last days of Mr. Colquitt's life. The family requests that memorials be directed to the American Heart Association.