Vincent R. Collura

COLLURA-Vincent R., 81, Lincoln. Passed away 11/11/05. He was born 2/2/24 in Chicago, IL, the fourth of five children of Salvatore and Francesca Collura. He served in the US Army Air Corp during WWII and was stationed at the Lincoln Air Force Base, where he met his future wife, Donna Lee Kimball of Lincoln. After their marriage, the couple lived in Chicago before settling permanently in Lincoln in 1947. Vince worked in sales for Latsch Brothers Office Furniture and then KFOR Radio until his retirement in 1992. In 1954 he was selected at the Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Lincoln Jaycees. He was a leader in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lincoln Lodge #80 since 1954. He held numerous titles including Exalted Ruler, 1964, District Deputy, 1966, Trustee of the Nebraska Elks, 1968, State President, 1974. The following year, 1975, he was appointed Special Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler. He served on the Grand Lodge Americanism Committee from 1979-84, the last 2 years as chairman. He was elected to the Board of Grand Trustees from 1987-91. In 1992 Vince was elected Grand Exalted Ruler. As Grand Exalted Ruler, with his wife, Donna, he visited every state including AK and HI. Since then, Vince has been on the Elks Board of Directors of the Grand Lodge. Vince was particularly proud of youth activities sponsored by the Elks including the Eagle Scout American Flag Ceremony, which he started. This became a national Scouting tradition. He chaired the Elks fund raising of the Statue of Liberty restoration project delivering a check at the White House to President Gerald R. Ford in excess of $1.5 million toward the completion of the statue restoration. Vince was a fun loving and outgoing person, well known for his involvement in many civic and charitable organizations, that included the National Radio Advertising Bureau, American Legion, United Way, Muscular Dystrophy, Little Chiefs Baseball, Elks Midget Football, Heart Fund, YMCA, Executive Club, and the Board Chairman of the University of Nebraska Extra Point Club, Advertising Man of the Year, Broadcasting Hall of Fame and was presented the Distinguished Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Vince and Donna were well known for procuring Italian delicacies for many events, including his father's special recipe for Italian sausage. Vince was preceded in death by his parents; and 4 siblings. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Lee Collura, Lincoln; 5 children, Richard, Ashland, NE, James, Houston, TX, Salvatore, Atlanta, GA, Joseph, Phoenix, AZ, and Mary, Lincoln; 9 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.
Open Visitation 2-9 pm with family receiving visitors 7-8:30 pm Tues. at Roper and Sons Mortuary, 4300 O Street, Lincoln. Funeral Services 10:30 am Wed. at First Presbyterian Church, 17th and F Street, Lincoln. The pallbearers will be his 6 grandsons, James Collura, Jr., Houston, TX, Jonathan Collura, Dallas, TX, Christopher Collura, St. Louis, MO, Chey Collura, Boston, MA, Colby Collura, Lincoln, David Collura, Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Vincent R. Collura Scholarship Fund. The memorials should be sent to Lincoln Lodge #80, BPOE, Charitable Turs in the name of Vincent R. Collura, 5910 S. 58th Street, Lincoln, NE 68516. ROPER & SONS Funeral Services
Lincoln, NE (402) 476-1225