John Colvin

Shreveport, LA John "Jay" Lewis Colvin, Jr Funeral services for John "Jay" Lewis Colvin, Jr. 61 will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana with Dr. Pat Day and Dr. Don Cottrill officiating. Interment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Bradley, Arkansas under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2016 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Marshall Street location. Jay was born June 25, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away November 26, 2016 in Dallas, Texas after winning his courageous battle with cancer. Jay graduated from Captain Shreve High School and Centenary College of Louisiana. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and was active in the Methodist Student Movement, (MSM). He was raised in the Methodist church, attending both Noel and First United Methodist. Growing up he could be caught in the bell tower at First Church at any given time up to some mischief. Some of his fondest memories were of both childhood and adult days spent at his grandparents' homes and farm in Bradley, Arkansas. He never missed a Gents' basketball game. Forever an Arkansas Razorback fan, with his girls he also became an avid LSU Tiger. He was the proud owner of a merchant services company which will continue to be owned and managed by his family. Jay always gave God the glory for the success of his business and supported countless charitable organizations. He cherished his family and friendships, always putting others first. He loved his brother and sister and their families - the laughter between them was endless. His numerous friendships were each so meaningful to him. Jay was a devoted and involved father who brought loads of laughter and joy to his girls' childhoods. He considered Katie and Lauren's friends as if they were his own children, and over the past 9 years he became "Pops" to a host of grandbabies, in addition to his own. Sharing God's love and helping someone in need was his primary purpose. He was a true servant and disciple. The Lord was his number one priority, next to Susan who was his very best friend and love of his life. He told her that he loved her numerous times a day. They were married 40 years this summer and celebrated on an extended beach vacation with his other loves - Katie, Mark, Bradley, Caliway, and Lauren. He was so proud of Katie for the Christian wife and mother she is and for her professional achievements as an attorney in Baton Rouge. Jay and Katie spoke every day and were best friends. He knew Mark was the one for Katie from the first time he met him and truly thought of him as a son and confidant, and the feelings were certainly mutual. Nothing brought him more joy than being Pops to Bradley, Caliway, and Lauren. He cherished every moment with his grandchildren, including vacations, ball games, dance recitals, birthdays, and "Camp Pops". He left an indelible mark on their lives, now full of memories to always be treasured. We are comforted knowing he has been reunited with his Lauren Leigh and Jesus. Jay missed Lauren tremendously, but always felt her presence. He spoke of going to heaven with such excitement, joy, and peace.   He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lauren Leigh Colvin, parents, Carolyn and John Colvin, mother and father-in-law, Rose and Ernest Ellington, maternal grandparents, Mary and Jack Meek, and paternal grandparents, Beatrice and Lee Colvin. He is survived by his wife Susan Colvin, daughter Katie Colvin Goodson and husband Mark, grandchildren, Bradley O'Neal Goodson, Caliway Griffin Goodson, and Lauren McRae Goodson, sister Mary Frances Koerner and husband Paul, brother Thomas Colvin and wife Suzan Jean, nieces and nephews John Thomas Colvin, Kelli Colvin Worden, Cara Lynn Koerner, and Andy Koerner, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other family and friends who meant a lot to Jay. Honoring Jay as pallbearers will be James Bobbitt, Brent Burt, Dave Crocker, Mark Goodson, Bill Haacker, Gary Loftin, Kevin McCotter, Jay McGee, Lane Scott, and Jim Strain. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Zachary Anderson, John Thomas Colvin, Wally Corley, Forrest Crocker, John Cunningham, John Darrell Cunningham, Andy Koerner, Ellis Pope, and Nathan Worden. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brian Berryman at Baylor University Medical Center as well as the physicians, nurses, and staff at the clinic and hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to The Renesting Project, 1303 Driftwood Drive, Bossier City, LA, 71111 or at https://www.renestingprojectinc.org/donate/.