Denzil Collette Sr

DENZIL, COLLETTE, SR. Our good friend, father and grandfather, Denzil Collette, Sr., passed away peacefully on the morning of June 4, 2014 in Albuquerque. Denzil, known affectionately as Bud by friends and family, was born in Thompson, North Dakota on November 19, 1921 to Ernest and Alice Collette. He is survived by four of his seven siblings, Patricia Meagher, Ernest Collette, Loria Kelly and John Collette; sons, David, Thomas and Denzil, Jr.; and granddaughters, Brittany, Caitlyn, Celeste, Calliope and Harlow. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Mary Beth; brother, Terry Collette; sisters, Ellie La Sueur and Margie Fromm; and grandson, Duane Collette. Denzil served in the US Army for 26 years, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring in 1972. While living in El Paso during retirement, he briefly sold real estate, attended UTEP, and kept up with his friends at the American Legion Hall on Vulcan Ave. We will miss his sense of humor, his stories, easy going personality and laugh. A Graveside Memorial was held on Monday, June 9, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.