Otis Collier was known in the community by different people for different reasons. Many knew him as a long time dedicated employee of Morgan Foods. He worked in the labeling area and was employed at Morgan?s from 1951-1977.
Some friends recalled his love of basketball, especially high school basketball. Past Scottsburg Warrior basketball coach Jim Barley recalled him being a huge fan, but not only high school games, but junior high and freshmen games as well. Mr. Barley laughed at how Otis and a close friend would ride with area referrees to games across the state just to watch a good game of high school basketball.
?Otis was known for his love of basketball,? said Mr. Barley. ?But when I remember Otis, I always thought of him as being a fine human and a good citizen before anything else.?
Another acquaintance, Kenny Stutsman, remembers Otis?s love for gardening, particularly roses. ?It was known for several miles around that Otis had beautiful rose gardens and people would drive by his home to admire their beauty,? said Mr. Stutsman. Some others who knew his love of roses mentioned that he belonged to a rose garden club in Louisville. It was also recalled how he liked to experiment with roses and try to come up with different variations.
He had such a passion for gardening that he left $38,000 to the Scottsburg Beautification Committee so they could carry on with his passion. The committee chose to create the Otis Collier Memorial Garden at Lake Iola park in Scottsburg. Otis left behind a wonderful legacy that will continue to grow for generations to come.
