PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A former state representative and Southeast Texas native has died.
Frank Collazo Jr., 92, died on Tuesday Dec. 19, 2023 surrounded by his loving family, according to a news release.
Collazo was born in Beaumont, Texas and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School, graduating in 1951.
Collazo graduated from Lamar University Beaumont and also the LBJ School of Public Affairs Government Development program and worked for Gulf oil for many years and was active in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Collazo served his country in the United States Army and was a Private First Class in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, according to the release.
He served his state as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993. He served in the 65th though the 72nd Legislative sessions representing the 23rd District of Texas.
Former Congressman Nick Lampson, who was the Jefferson County Tax Accessor when Collazo served in the Texas House says “Frank was a friend, a concerned and aware citizen and a thoughtful representative of the people."
Lampson says Collazo was an “old style” politician who only cared about making our community a better place in which to live.
"Thank you, Frank, for being the wonderful family man and friend you were to us all. We will miss you," he said.
During his 16 year tenure Collazo chaired the House Natural Resources, the House Cultural and Historical Resources and the Environmental Affairs Budget and Oversight committees, according to the release.
“Frank and his wife were great friends of Sandra and mine. He was one of the better members when I was Speaker because he always made sure the job was done right. He was a go-to member and had a reputation for helping other members. He and his wife were such wonderful people," Former Texas Speaker of the House, Gib Lewis said.
Collazo also chaired the Texas Veterans Memorial committee and served as Vice Chair of the Environmental Affairs subcommittee on Wildlife Preservation and the Government Organization committees, according to the release.
He served on the important House Calendars and Appropriations committees as well as the Property Insurance, Labor and many other committees.
Carl Parker, who also served in the legislature with Collazo, says “Frank truly represented the district he was elected from."
"He loved Port Arthur and his constituents. He worked hard and was always ready to help with good legislation and had no fear to oppose bad legislation. I represented the same House district as Frank before being elected to the Texas Senate so we worked on many efforts together. Our community has lost a great fighter," Parker said.
Collazo is preceded in death by his wife Mary Margaret. They were married for 69 years. He is survived by his sons Johnny, Robert and Gregory and daughter Melissa “Missy,” their spouses, grandchildren and many more family members.
Funeral services are pending.
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