Jerrold William "Jerry" Collins
Jerrold William "Jerry" Collins, 67, passed away on Monday, Jan. 5, 2010, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born on Sept. 6, 1942, in Kalispell, the son of John William and Ada E. (Lloid) Collins.
He graduated from Bigfork High School in 1960. He had joined the National Guard in 1959 and served in the U.S. Navy from January 1962 until May 1966. He married Judy Sears on Sept. 21, 1966, in Bigfork.
He worked in road construction, then at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant in Columbia Falls from Jan. 29, 1969, until his retirement due to asbestosis in May 2003.
He loved to take his family hunting and fishing, and participating in his sons' many sporting events. He coached them and many of their friends in baseball, basketball, soccer and wrestling. Many of those boys still call him Coach Collins and have stayed in touch through the years.
He was a member of the North Valley Eagles and Kalispell Moose Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Bigfork VFW Post #2252 and DAV Post #4 in Kalispell, as well as American Legion Post #86 and United Veterans of the Flathead Valley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ada Collins, and his father-in-law William Sears.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Collins, of the family home in Kalispell; his four sons — Jerry Collins and his partner Mel of Belgrade, John "BJ" Collins and wife Kami of Kalispell, Jamie Collins and wife Grace of Wasilla, Alaska, and Jody Collins and wife Heather of Pendleton, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; many "adopted" grandchildren; his aunt Stella West of Oregon; and his beloved dog "Missy."
Funeral services were held on Jan. 9, 2010, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating. Burial followed services at Glacier Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Home Options Hospice at 175 Commons Loop, Suite #100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jerry's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Jerry's guest book.