Mr. Collis Henry Ivery, Jr.

Obituary For Mr. Collis Henry Ivery, Jr.

Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mr. Collis Henry Ivery, Jr., Retired Chief Master Sgt. of Cedar Park, TX, age 85, February 15, 2019, at San Gabriel Rehabilitation and Care Center, after a brief illness.

Mr. Ivery is survived by his wife, Joyce Cousin Ivery; eight children: Marcia Ivery Young (Herbert Sr.), Collis H. Ivery III (Rhonda), and Kenneth R. Ivery, Cedric White, Derric White, Karen Lott, Thomas White, Jr. (Rhonda), and Corey White; grandchildren: Collis H. Ivery IV, Herbert D. Young II, Jasmyne L. Ivery, Cedric White II, Christopher White, Jennifer Jackson (Brandon), Derric White Jr., Bryan Lott, Bria Lott, Keanna Bristo, Madison White, Kalen White, Samantha White, Cole White, and Blayze White; Sister, Brothers, and In-laws: Bobbye Sue Ivery McKinney, Samuel M. Ivery (Barbara), John J. Ivery Sr. (Thelma), Milton R. Ivery Sr. (Modestine), Melba Vander, Maurice Cousin (Marie), Carolyn White, Dennis Cousin (Sandra), and Bruce Cousin (Beverly).

Mr. Ivery was preceded in death by his parents: Collis Herman Ivery, Sr. and Mattie Sue Jenkins Ivery; Sisters-in-law: Doris Vaughn and Lydia Cousin; Brothers-in-law: James McKinney, Leonard Cousin, Eric Cousin, Clyde Cousin, and Percy Vaughn.

Mr. Ivery leaves to cherish many nieces and nephews; his neighbors, the Birds: Travis, Catherine, Ashley and Emma Katherine "E.K." Bird; dear friends: Peter and Maxine Gomes; and the Westwood High School, Austin, Texas AFJROTC Students from the Classes of the 1990's. Mr. Ivery was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on June 4, 1933. He committed to Christ at 11 years of age. He attended 20th Street Elementary School, Tuscaloosa, AL, Central Elementary School, Tuscaloosa, AL, and Industrial High School, Tuscaloosa, AL.

While attending Industrial High School in Tuscaloosa, AL, he sang in the school's choir as a Tenor. In addition to being a good student, he worked at the H&W Drug store keeping the shelves stocked and taking inventory of the medicines in the pharmacy. He often delivered prescription medicine to people's home throughout the city by motor-cycle and aspired to be a pharmacist. One of his favorite classes while in high school was woodworking where he made foot stools, portable electric lamps and picture frames.

One of his early jobs, along with his younger brother Samuel was being a newspaper carrier for the Alabama Citizen which was the Black Newspaper published in Tuscaloosa, AL. The newspaper was 5 cents per copy, and he received one cent for each paper sold. This job lasted about 2 years. In his Junior and Senior years of high school, he served as the basketball team manager for both the girl's and boy's teams. He made sure that the teams had all the equipment and supplies they needed, and sometimes travelled with the team to their away-games. During this time, the girls basketball team won two State Championships! While attending college, two of his summers were spent in Pittsburgh, PA and Akron, OH. In Akron, he stayed with his uncle, and worked at the Woolworth's Department Store stocking shelves. In Pittsburgh, he worked at an industrial chemical plant. The money earned during these summers helped finance his college education.

Mr. Ivery graduated from Alabama State University, in 1955, with degree in Early Childhood Education. In 1983, he received the Masters of Education from Alabama State University.

Mr. Ivery, joined the United States Air Force upon college graduation. His primary duty was Intelligence. During his Air Force career, he was stationed at bases located in: Nebraska, Massachusetts, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Texas, and Louisiana. While serving, Mr. Ivery attended the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Academy and the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Academy. While in the Air Force, Mr. Ivery earned the: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters. He served in the Vietnam War, and was awarded the: Vietnam Service Medal with 7 stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1981, Mr. Ivery, retired with an Honorable Discharge, at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, with 26 years of service.

After his distinguished military career, Mr. Ivery moved to Austin, Texas to be the Westwood High School AFJROTC instructor. He retired after 15 years. His former students still call him "Chief". Many of the former will attend the funeral mass.

Mr. Ivery, was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Austin (TX) Alumni Chapter. In college, he served as Polemarch of Beta Zeta Chapter, Alabama State University. He was a devout Catholic. He was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) and the Knights of Columbus.

PALLBEARERS Collis H. Ivery, IV ~ Herbert D. Young, II Travis Bird ~ Kalen White Bryan Lott ~ Erroll Ivery

DONATIONS St. Thomas More Catholic Church 10205 N FM 620 Austin, TX 78726

Austin (TX) Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 13535 Austin, TX 78711

SCHEDULE Feb 28, 2019 – Thursday VISITATION 6:00 pm -7:00 pm Visitation/Viewing 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Rosary 8:00 pm-8:30 pm Kappa Alpha Psi Memorial Service (Attire: Red Jacket/Black Pants) CLOSED CEREMONY Location: Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes & Cremation Services 1200 South Bagdad Road, Leander, TX 78641

Mar 01, 2019 -- Friday FUNERAL and RECEPTION 10:30-12:30pm Funeral Mass Reception - immediately following Funeral Mass

Location: St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church 10205 North FM 620, Austin, TX 78726

Mar 3, 2019 -- Sunday

PUBLIC VIEWING: Sunday, MARCH 3, 2019 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home with 3:30 p.m. Graveside services with Full US Air Force Military Honors at Cedar Oak Memorial Park.

Father Gerald Holloway, Officiant and Eulogist.

Services under the directions of Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home Directors & Staff.