Gary Colburn

Gary Burt Colburn, age 87, passed away in Corsicana, Texas on Friday, June 20, 2025. Gary was born in Orange, Texas on December 8, 1937 to Urty Jual Colburn and Doris Burton Colburn. Gary graduated high school from Lutcher-Stark High school in Orange in 1956, BA in History from Baylor University in 1960, Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas in 1964. Gary married Jo Ann Walston on September 2, 1961 in Orange. While pastoring churches in Muldoon and Seguin, Texas, the Lord blessed Gary and Jo Ann with 3 children. In 1969, the Colburn’s answered the call of SBC Home Mission Board to take a church start in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Gary led a small congregation of 30 to grow to over 150 and build a new church building. In 1972, the Colburn’s moved back to Texas and settled in Corsicana. Gary was a bi-vocational pastor serving at Roane Baptist Church until 1980 and working at the Corsicana State Home and also as the advertising sales manager at KAND radio station for several years. Gary later earned his teacher certification in Special Education and taught at Corsicana High School, Drane Middle School and The State Juvenile Correctional facility in Mart, Texas. Gary continued to supply preach at various churches and in his latter years pastored churches in Streetman, Angus and Bazette. He also volunteered at the Corsicana State Home and Pierce Museum at the Cook Center on the campus of Navarro College. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, sister Gayle Colburn Copeland. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jo Ann Colburn, son Steve Colburn and wife Susan; daughter Laurie and husband Ralph, son Colin and wife Jennifer. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Will Colburn (Katie) , Stephanie Colburn Deluca (James), Hannah Duke James (Brian), Zachary Colburn (Ashley), Caleb Duke (Cierra), Ben Colburn, Rachel Duke, Timothy Duke and 5 great grandchildren - Cash, Maisie and Darcie Colburn and Charlotte and Henry Deluca, and baby Daniel James soon to be born any day. He is also survived many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Gary was a member of the First Baptist Church in Corsicana for the past 45 years where he served the Lord by being actively involved in Sunday school, serving on various committees, teaching in the Special Ministries and Singles Sunday school departments and singing in the Solid Rockers senior adult choir. He loved good gospel music and he and Jo Ann instilled the love of music into all 3 of their children where all 3 are currently leading worship in churches in north central Texas. Gary was a longtime member of the YMCA where he logged more miles in the pool than anyone else when records were being kept. Gary never met a stranger, he could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He also had a love of growing roses and keeping pride in his yard. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Navarro Regional Hospital and the staﬀ of Hand in Hand Hospice. They would also like to say “Thank You” for the many prayers, calls and texts from many, many church family and friends. In lieu of flowers and plants, please make donations to Mission eﬀorts of First Baptist Church, Corsicana, Texas. Visitation will be at Griﬃn-Roughton Funeral Home on Monday, June 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Graveside service will be Tuesday morning at 10:00 am, June 24 at Hamilton- Beeman Cemetery in Retreat. Also, it is requested that you wear “Baylor” shirts, or green and gold to the service.

Gary Colburn

December 8, 1937 - June 20, 2025