Edward Arnold Colburn

Arnold Edward Colburn

August 20, 1935 - July 6, 2021

Arnold Edward Colburn Col. Edward Arnold Colburn, U.S. Army (Ret), 85, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Pearland, Texas. He was born August 20, 1935 to Lee Edward Colburn and Leona Splawn - Colburn in Houston, Texas. Ed graduated from Pharr San Juan Alamo (PSJA) High School. He attended Texas A & M University, joined the Army and later completed his BS at Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas in 1972. In 1978 he graduated from The National War College, in Washington, D.C. In 1984, he was placed on the Honor Roll in the Infantry Officer Candidate Hall of Fame.

He had a 28 year career in the Army serving two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 1st CAV as a helicopter pilot. During his military service, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with two OLC's and a Master Aviator Badge. He retired from the Army July, 1983 and immediately began 15 years of service as a JROTC instructor at Porter High School, in Brownsville ISD, Brownsville, Texas. He retired from BISD in 1998.

Col. Colburn is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jo Elaine Colburn of Pearland, Texas and son, Lee Edward Colburn II (Nancy), daughter, Kelly Colburn Jackson (Jay), grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Cline, Madison and Amber (Amy), great granddaughters, Kendall and Emerson, sister Markie Bellew, niece Katherine Mackowski (Matt) and nephew Trent Bellew (Andrea). Thank you to Brenda, his caregiver, for your 4 years of excellent care and dedication.

He will be laid to rest in Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas, 77038 on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 11:15 a.m. Those in attendance are asked to arrive in Lane 2.

Memorial contributions can be made to the following organizations:

Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453; Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675; Camp Hope, 9724 Derrington Rd., Houston, Texas 77064