Richard "Dick" Colegrove

Richard "Dick" Naylor Colegrove Jr., of Huntsville, Texas, passed away early Thursday morning, January 14, 2016. He went to be with the Lord after battling lung cancer, and the chemotherapy treatment that accompanied it. He was admitted to Kingwood Medical Center on December 17, 2015, with pneumonia, he fought to open his eyes briefly at the start of the New Year, but was not able to fully recover. On January 13th he was transported to the Cornerstone hospital in Conroe, Texas, where his wife, Monique Colegrove of 49 years has been battling her own health issues. A little less than 24 hours later, Dick was called to heaven. During his younger years, Dick enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17, he served admirably for 20 years, retiring as a Tech. Sergeant, serving in Korea, Germany, and stateside in Washington D.C. and San Antonio, where retired in 1975. He was employed with the Bexar County Sheriff's Department before gaining employment with the Texas Dept. of Corrections in 1977. He began his career as a correctional officer, while attending Sam Houston State University where he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice, in 1982. He then transitioned to the medical side of TDC and was a clinical social worker. He retired from TDC, and then went to work for University of Texas Medical Branch in the same capacity. He married Monique Gatault from Madagascar on January 7, 1967, in Washington D.C., and lived in Europe while with the Air Force. Dick and Monique moved to San Antonio in 1972, and then to Huntsville in 1975 and made it their home where they raised Donna and Ricky. Donna Colegrove, now Donna Howell, married to Mike Howell, gave Dick and Monique 5 grandchildren, Danielle, Damian, Mikel, Matthew, and Dominick. Ricky Colegrove, married to Mistie Rorex, now Mistie Colegrove, gave them one more grandchild, Isabella. All of his grandchildren gave him great, great joy, as he attended many baseball games, and supported them to the best of his abilities. Dick was also known as, Sir Knight Richard (Dick) Colegrove, he join the Knights of Columbus on July 1, 1978 and was a Charter Member of the St. Thomas Council #7153. Brother Dick was an active member of the Council and serve as its Grand Knight and most recent Financial Secretary, a position that held until July of ‘2015. Sir Knight Dick was also a member of Our Lady of the Lake Fourth Degree Assembly #2285 of the Knights of Columbus and was the Faithful Navigator for 4 Years. Brother Dick enjoyed his work with the Council and Assembly in the planning of all Council Activities including First Friday and Lenten Fish Fry, Monthly Chicken Fried Steak Dinners, and all events with the Community and Church. He will be dearly missed by all of the Brother Knights and Friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude Bertha Cathcart Colegrove of Futon, New York; father, Richard Naylor Colegrove Sr. Gertrude passed in 1975 and Richard in 1960. He had three sisters and two brothers, Grace, David, Betty and Ted and his last surviving sibling is Pauline, who comforted Dick in his last months by giving care in his home while battling cancer. Dick was a family man in ever since of the word. He devoted his time and talents to giving his wife and children, and later his grandchildren, all he could, be it building or fixing, he was man of many skills and trades. He transformed a small house off of Four Notch road into a home that his family adored. He will be missed and his love for his family carries on, as he watches over us and looks down on us, proud, because he gave his family and his life all he had. Fly high Grandpa, we all love you. A rosary will be held at 12:45 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Huntsville, Texas. A memorial service will follow the rosary at 1:30 PM at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Huntsville, Texas, with a small reception to follow. For those who cannot attend there will be a get together at Donna Howell's home in New Waverly. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Richard "Dick" Colegrove

December 31, 1936 - January 14, 2016