Greyson “Wheat” Collingwood. December 23, 1934 – October 11, 2016.
If wealth is defined by being surrounded by loving friends and devoted family after a long and rich life, then Wheat died a very rich man. Wheat defined himself by his relationships — his relationship with God, his loving wife of 46 years, his daughter and granddaughters, and every person he met (all of whom he regarded as friends).
Wheat was born in Wichita, Kansas to Margaret Shannon Collingwood and Greyson Haslett Collingwood, and he was the youngest sibling to Martha Bay (Black) and Otis Collingwood. Ornery from a young age, Wheat became infamous for using his sister’s pearl neckless as ammunition for his b.b. gun, putting sand in his teacher’s car’s gas tank, putting a snake in his teacher’s desk, and other mischief. It was no wonder that his father sent him to the New Mexico Military Institute for high school.
After graduating from NMMI, Wheat enrolled in the University of Oklahoma, joined Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and majored in fraternity studies. Attending occasional business classes, Wheat relished college life, making life-long friends and enjoying a fanatical devotion to OU football.
After college, Wheat returned to Wichita and went into office and industrial equipment sales, eventually starting his own business, Collingwood Office Systems, where he was repeatedly nationally recognized for sales and service to his customers. In 1958, Wheat met his nephew’s kindergarten teacher, Sally Carolyn Rice. Wheat knew immediately that Sally was out of his league, so he married her on August 6, 1960, at his earliest opportunity.
Wheat’s and Sally’s only child, Julie Anne (Blumenthal), was born in 1965. Wheat and Sally raised Julie in Wichita. Never has a family of three been filled with so much love for each other. Their warm home was always open for pool parties, chili dinners, youth group activities, and New Year’s Day football games (shown on three televisions at the same time).
His beloved bride passed away in 2007. Mourning her loss took a toll on Wheat, but his deep Christian faith kept him focused on his family and friends. In 2013, Wheat moved to Prairie Village, Kansas to be closer to Julie and her husband, Michael Blumenthal, and his granddaughters, Sarah Bay and Kate Grace. He spent the remainder of his life doting on Julie, Sarah Bay, and Kate Grace, and enjoying the companionship of his friend, Dotty Watson.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and companion, Wheat always took interest in his family, listening intently to their stories and attending their school programs and athletic events. Wheat was a lover of all things chocolate, Bud Light over ice, OU football, Jayhawks basketball, and the Kansas City Royals.
Kind, gentle, and funny, Wheat was loved by all. He will be missed by his family and many friends more than words can describe.
The family will conduct a private burial on Friday, October 21, 2016 in Potwin, Kansas, with a celebration of life memorial service at 2 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Colonial Congregational Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.
Julie,
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear father. I am so lucky to have known him and happy that I got to see him one last time at Pierponts with Dotty.
You and your family are in my thoughts. What a lovely obituary. If there is anything you need please let me know.
Pam Tibbs
So sorry for your loss, Julie. Wheat is in heaven now, and I’m sure you have many fond memories of Life With Father.
Julie, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you will find comfort in all your memories. I know my mom spoke of enjoying dining at Brighton Gardens with your dad. He always had a smile on his face. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Wheat was a wonderful man and both a devoted husband, father and grandfather as witnessed over the years as s neighbor to Julie and Mike. RIP my friend
I was saddened to learn of Wheat’s death. My father Ross Thornton married Sally and Wheat in Abilene. Dad always said the wedding was one of the most enjoyable weddings he ever conducted. My sympathy to his family- Rev. Rick Thornton
Julie,
Sherrie and I have many fond memories of time spent with your dad and mom. So sorry for your loss.
What a lovely tribute. If only we could all hope to be remembered in such a way.
We will unfortunately be out of town for the service, but please know we will be thinking of your family.
Saddened to learn of Wheat’s passing. Sally, his beloved wife, and I were “friends forever”,growing up and going all the way thru school together in Abilene and later in life we saw much of each other as I had family in Wichita and when I visited them, she and I would spend time together. She was a dear and sweet friend, always welcome in her home and she was always thinking of others. Wheat and my husband, Bud Murray, became friends and enjoyed talking sports and business. Bud and I always enjoyed our time with the Collingwoods. Wheat was thoughtful, kind and funny! Marilyn Seaton Murray
My condolences to Wheat’s family on his passing. Wheat’s obituary well describes this exceptional and devoted family man and giving member of the community. The Wheat I remember always was generous and giving with his help/time/skills/energy, but modest and self-effacing about his many accomplishments and contributions. Wheat’s last sentence to me, “Fred, how can I help you?”, is, in fact, a summary of how he interacted with his friends and community. God bless his family, legacy, and memory.
Such a beautiful obituary for a wonderful man. I will miss Wheat’s warmth and love. I consider myself blessed to have known him.
Julie and Family,
We just heard of your father’s death and send you our deepest sympathy. We thought Wheat was a terrific guy and especially cherished him for his devotion to Sally. It takes great courage and love to last through such an illness which is so difficult to watch and to accept. We will send a card but are not sure of an address…is there a special memorial for him?
I was Kay Ewert, one of Sally’s close high school friends and also a KU Kappa. We were at Sally’s memorial playground memorial in Abilene.
Wheat was a very good man … Wheat & Sally
our friends for nearly 50 years!
Dear Julie,
I’m so saddened to hear of your Father’s passing.
My prayers and thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. Please take comfort in these last years spent with him at your finger tips and all of the wonderful memories over a lifetime.
Your parents were such a blessing and so wonderful to everyone who met them.
Prayers for you and your family
Wheat was one of a kind. I don’t think he ever met anyone that wasn’t his friend. The obituary is such a beautiful reflection of the person he was and the reason he lives behind a legacy of wonderful memories, lots of laughs and a warmth that left a lasting impression. I’m sorry his loving family must bear this loss but those of us who knew him join them in remembering him so fondly.
What a beautiful summmary of a life well lived.
Julie, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your dad was always so kind and generous to me. I will miss his laugh. Praying for you and your family.
Steve
Julie,
The words I am sorry for your loss are said over and over when a loved one dies. I repeat them again. What a tremendous, tremendous loss for you and I am so sorry. Your Dad was a good, good spirit.
A perfect tribute to Wheat. Loved being around him and your mom when we were kids. Both had great laughs and your dads stories to generate that laughter. Loved being in Colorado Springs with them. His stories of Kate and Estelle were stuff of great memories.
Julie, what a wonderful tribute to your father. I worked for him when I was in high school and both your mom and dad always treated me like family. I have such great memories of my time with all of you. My deepest sympathies to you. Both of your parents were amazingly kind, wonderful people.