In Memory

Col Clifton D (Sonny) Lollar

COL. Clifton D. (Sonny) Lollar

CMA 1969-1970

Senior Military Instructor 

MAJ US ARMY

Military Science

 

Colonel (USA Retired) Clifton D. 'Sonny' Lollar, age 71, passed away at his home in Columbus, MS, on Feb. 16, 2e004. Graveside services will be Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, MS, with full military honors. Rodney McCray will officiate. Services are under the direction of Gunter & Peel Funeral Home of Columbus, MS. Visitation will be from noon until service time Friday at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. He was born September 13, 1932 in Columbus, MS to the late Clifton D. and Martha Adele Taylor Lollar. Col. Lollar was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam spending approximately 25 years in the United States Army. He received many awards and decorations including two silver stars, seven bronze stars with valor, five purple hearts, three Army Commendations medals, and the South Korean Medal of Honor. Col. Lollar served in South Korea in the original Airborne Ranger Battalion and was in the unit that took Heart Break Ridge. He was also awarded 2 Combat Infantry Badges, the Expert Infantry Badge, 4 master parachutist badges, and the HALO Badge with over 400 jumps in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He also had the Vietnamese, Laotian, and Thai jump wings, and received a total of 36 awards and 26 decorations including 4 Presidential Citations and retired as a totally disabled veteran. After retirement he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Belehaven College in Jackson, MS and his Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Social Studies and taught at Jackson State. He later obtained his realtor and broker license and was active in real estate for 18 years before his full retirement. He is survived by his wife: Linda Faye Lollar, Columbus, MS; children: Sheri Baker, Montgomery, AL, Gina & Rodney McCray, Montgomery, AL, Clifton D. Lollar, III, Birmingham, AL, Alisha & Doug Brown, Ethelsville, AL, Donnie & Tabitha Parker, Hamilton, AL, Freddie & Johanna Lynch, Citronelle, AL, Tony Bigsoldier, Tuscon, AZ; brother: George Carl Lollar, Centrallia, IL; 12 grandchildren. Pallbearers: U.S. Army Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society in honor of his favorite friend and little Pomeranian, Rusty, at 13 Airline Rd. Columbus, MS 39702. Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Owens, Dr. John Whitecar and staff, Baptist Cancer Center and staff, Baptist Memorial Hospice Program and Betty Stanford.

Published in The Oklahoman on Feb. 19, 2004