Jerrold William Jerry Collins, 67

Jerrold William Jerry Collins, 67, passed away on Tuesday, 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 the woods, road construction and began work at the CFAC Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls from Jan. 29, 1969, until May of 2003, when he retired due to asbestosis. He loved to take his family hunting and fishing and participating in the many sporting events of his sons. 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, Kalispell Moose Lodge and a lifetime member of the Bigfork VFW Post No. 2252 and DAV Post No. 4 in Kalispell, as well as American Legion Post No. 86; and a proud member of the 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 and many adopted grandchildren; and his aunt, Stella West, of Oregon. He also leaves behind his constant companion, his beloved dog Missy. Funeral services for Jerry will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating. Visitation for Jerry will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will follow 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.