Homer Earl Colson

Reflections of a 12^th Man

 

 Homer “Earl” Colson blessed his mother, Annie Mae Jones Colson, with his birth on August 9,1960 at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas. On May 4, 2024, he blessed her again when he reunited with her in heaven, He is now at peace rejoicing with the Lord and his grandparents, Pauline Jackson Jones Gooden and Rentie Gooden; great-grandparents, Rosie Veal Johnson Jackson, and Johnny Jackson; and his stepfather, Lonnie Colson. 

Earl accepted Christ at an early age at Greater Love Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Marlin Carter. He later re-established his faith in the Lord with Pastor Issac Grant, current Pastor of Greater Love Baptist Church. 

Earl lived in East Austin with his mother where he attended school in Austin Independent School District, graduating from LBJ High School in 1979. After graduation, Earl attended Capital City Trade and Technical School where he received an Associates in Mechanics. He shared his love for mechanics with his grandfather, Rentie Gooden, and his Uncle Chester Smith, whom he spent many hours with, working on cars in the front yard. In addition to working on cars, he enjoyed spending time with his lifelong friends, Michael Caldwell, William Thomas, Darrell Caldwell, Michael Clark, Timothy Higgins, and William Martin. 

Earl believed that if he worked hard, and invested in himself, his life would work out fine. Earl moved to Clovis, California when John Bradley, a neighbor friend, invited him to move and take advantage of new opportunities. He would go on to work for Clovis ISD for over 20 years while managing his own business, “Earl’s Cleaning Service “. Earl was a good friend to John and helped him with his health needs until John passed. Earl retired and moved back to Round Rock, Texas to care for his mother, Annie, when her health started falling. He also moved “Earl’s Cleaning Service” to the City of Round Rock where he worked for Travis County in building maintenance. He was on the list of Historically Underutilized Businesses in Austin, Texas and had service contracts with U.T. Austin, local builders, churches, and funeral homes. 

Earl loved to tease his mother, aunts, grandmother, and great grandmother. He was known for his cooking and barbequing skills. He once told his grandmother, Pauline Gooden, that “he didn’t need to know how to cook because his wife would do the cooking.” That summer, Grandma made Earl learn to cook. He was lovingly called "Old Man” by his oldest cousin, Carla, as well as his younger cousins. He was also called “Bubby” by his great-grandmother and first cousins. Every football season Earl held out hope that the Cowboys would make it to the playoffs and then the Superbowl. Even if the Cowboys (Cowgirls) didn’t have a good season he watched every game. 

Earl leaves to cherish his memory his Aunts: Cordia Jones Hill of Austin Texas, Betty J. Miller of Sacramento, California, Carol A. McLaurin (Eyo) of Pflugerville, Texas, Wilmer L. Parkinson (Maurice) of Walnut, California and Hana High of Marshall, Texas. Bonus Brothers: Michael Caldwell, William Thomas, Darrell Caldwell, Michael Clark, Timothy Higgins, and William Martin. His Caregivers: Cheryl and Sammy Reese of Bastrop, Texas and a host of cousins, family, and friends.

Homer Earl Colson, 63, of Pflugerville, passed away early Saturday morning, May 4, 2024.  Family and friends will gather for a Visitation at Greater Love Missionary Baptist Church of Austin from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM.  A Home-Going Celebration will follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Isaac Grant and Reverend Victor Malone presiding.  Interment will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery.