Wilbert Lee Colquitt

Wilbert Lee “Red” Colquitt, age 88, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas, leaving behind a life defined by service, laughter, and a deep love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all those he knew.

Red was born in Crandall, Texas in 1938 to Odie and Angie Colquitt. He grew up in this small town just southeast of Dallas alongside his sister, Janell. He showed early signs of leadership in sports and social activities, serving as senior class President. It was around this time that he met his future wife, Mary Lou Adair, at a swimming pool in the neighboring town of Kaufman. As she worked on her backstroke, he managed to position himself directly in her path, and they literally bumped into each other. They married a year later and moved into a duplex in Parkdale.

Red began his career with the Dallas Fire Department in 1956, becoming the first 18-year-old ever hired by the department. It was in the fire station that he learned to cook, play a mean game of ping pong, and—most importantly—save lives. He proudly served the city of Dallas for many years, rising to the rank of Captain in the Department of Public Relations, where one of his key responsibilities was communicating with the media during emergencies. His family would often find themselves accompanying him to a 5-alarm fire when a call came over the radio during dinner.

In 1975, he followed his heart in a new direction, becoming Director of Mount Lebanon Baptist Camp—a role that was far more than a job to him. It was a calling, and one he embraced fully. His family moved from Mesquite to the camp, and it became the central focus of all their lives. Red was a builder in every sense of the word. He oversaw the construction of a new dining hall, a tabernacle, and a motel, while growing summer camp attendance to record numbers—not just by building buildings, but by building relationships with his staff, the broader Dallas Baptist Association community, and camp managers all across Texas. In 1997, Red pioneered the Texas Baptist Camp Endowment Fund, established to support Texas camps facing emergency needs. He loved walking around the camp with the kids, often carrying chocolate chip cookies in his pocket to share with young campers. Once, after a kid inhaled one of the cookies, Red asked, “Is there anything better?” The youngster shouted back: “GOD FIRST, JESUS SECOND, AND THIRD… CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!”

In 1990, Red was called by the Lord to serve as Director of Evangelism and Camp Ministry for the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. He later served as Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Encampment, now known as Riverbend Retreat Center. He retired in 1993—though “retired” was never quite the right word for Red. Serving people was simply who he was. In the years that followed, he and Mary Lou traveled across the United States, supporting camp managers and forming lasting friendships wherever they went. Red continued to serve in Christian camp leadership—as a consultant, mentor, and interim director for camps across the nation—until 2013.

In 2019, he and Mary Lou moved to Corpus Christi to be closer to family and closer to the sea. Red loved walking the boardwalk by the bay, chatting with locals and tourists alike, and listening to the sounds of seabirds overhead. His ashes are scattered in the bay of Corpus Christi—“The Body of Christ.”

Red is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mary Lou Colquitt; his sons and their significant others, Phil and Leslie, Andy and Susan, and Chris and Melanie; his grandchildren and their significant others, Cristi and David, Whitney and Andy, Tessie and Kenny, Zac and Elena, and Heather; also 10 great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of pride and joy in his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Odie and Angie Colquitt, and his sister, Janell.

To know Red was to be welcomed with a smile, a story, and often one of his famously corny jokes. He had a playful way of catching people off guard—especially waitstaff—by looking them straight in the eye and ordering “two of these, please,” while holding up three fingers. It was a small joke, but it never failed to get a laugh. He had a gift for making people feel seen and valued, whether they had known him for years or had just met him. His kindness was constant, his laughter contagious, and his joy in life unmistakable. He loved deeply, gave generously, and left an impression on countless lives—many of whom will carry a piece of his spirit forward.

In lieu of flowers, the Colquitt family asks that you donate to the Texas Baptist Camp Endowment Fund, pioneered by Red in 1997. --- https://www.texasbaptistcamps.org/donate