Julius Collie

Mr. Julius Lee “CROP” Collie of Tampa, Florida passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel with Reverend Aaron Hobley, officiating.  Per family request, no photos, please.   Masks are required.  Entombment will follow in Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Fountain of Life Mausoleum.

Julius Lee “CROP” Collie was born in Tampa, Florida on March 21, 1950, to Leola and Junie Collie. Crop attended Carver Middle School in Tampa, Florida and from there began running track and playing Varsity Football at Blake High School where they would call him the “Speedster”. Crop graduated a proud Yellow Jacket at Blake High School in 1968.

To further his education, he attended Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama where he continued to shine and make a legacy on the football field. Crop was named Best Spirit Freshman and he also pledged Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity before graduating in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

After returning to Tampa, Crop began training in Shotokan Martial Arts, and became a 2nd degree Black Belt and a Sensei. Crop began to work for the City of Tampa from 1972 – 2003 for a total of 31 years. Before he entered eternal rest, he worked for the Career Source of Tampa Bay as a Career Development Trainer.

Crop had a passion for Football. For over 40 years he coached youth football for various conferences winning over 17 Super Bowl Titles. Crop also received the opportunity to coach the Tampa International Small Fry Basketball Team for many years. In 1983, Crop coached Youth Varsity Basketball and Youth Football for the Eagles at the Ybor City Boys & Girls Club. Over the years of coaching, Crop was named Volunteer of The Year from the Boys & Girls Club. He was also inducted into the American Youth Football Hall of Fame in 2007. Crop also coached Youth Football through the City of Tampa Recreation Department, coaching Grant Park & Copeland Park Saints.  He was also a part of the 1st Prime time Kick-Off Classic which was inspired by the retired Deion Sanders in 2010. For the past 11 years, Crop has coached through the Mid-Florida Conference as a Varsity Head Coach, Mentor, and 1 of the founders of Tampa Hurricanes. Crop also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Elite Football.

Since a kid, Crop has always had a need for speed and a passion for his Hot Rods. If Crop wasn’t at work or on the field, he enjoyed wiping down his cars or going for a ride in one of his Hot Rods.

Crop was a loving and devoted father. He was known for his infectious smile and his kind and compassionate spirit. Julius Collie Sr. is a LEGEND, who will truly be missed.

Julius is preceded in death by his mother and father, Leola and Junie Collie.

“What the Heart has once known, it shall never forget.” His memory will forever be cherished by his three children, Julius L Collie Jr., Dane Jones and Lakeshia Ricks; two grandchildren, DeMarcus L. Evans, Jr. and Daliyah Jones; sister, Vastoria Reeves; nephew, Robert “Bobby” Brown, great nieces, Vastoria Brown and Brooke Moore; close friends,  Clarence Maxwell, Aaron Hobley, Apollo Hobley, Allen Edwards and his football family and a host of other family and friends.

No public viewing on Friday, June 25.  Viewing will be at the Funeral Service on Saturday.

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