Clinton 'Clint' Wayne Collins, 84

Clinton “Clint” Wayne Collins, 84, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Clint was born on March 27, 1934 in Bigfork to Charles and Emma Collins. He attended Bigfork schools and graduated Bigfork High School. He joined the Navy at age 18 and served as a “CB” in Corpus Christie, Texas.

After serving in the Navy, he returned home and attended the University of Montana, graduating in 1959 with a degree in education, majoring in political science.

He began his teaching career in Castle Rock, Washington, where he taught high school social studies and coached basketball. After one year, he returned to Bigfork.

In the summer of 1961 he met his future wife, Donna Mary Merwin. After a brief long-distance courtship, they got married on June 30, 1962, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They spent their first year of marriage in Seattle where their son, Greg, was born.

After a year, they returned to Whitefish where Clint worked as a carpenter. In 1965, their daughter Susan, was born. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Seaside, Oregon, where Clint taught physical education and continued coaching. After one year, they settled into Whitefish where he became head teacher at Pine Grove School. He eventually moved to Helena Flats School, where after getting his master’s degree, he became the superintendent of Helena Flats School and continued his love for coaching basketball. Clint was responsible for building the gym that was later named for him. He retired in 1989 and resumed his love of carpentry skills where he did remodeling and building around the Flathead Valley.

He and his wife enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, visiting children and grandchildren, as well as attending almost every Montana Grizzly football game. In his later years, he loved spending time on his computer, reading and following his Montana Grizzlies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emma, his brothers, Alfred, Norman, and Raymond, and his sisters, Frances and Marion.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna; son, Greg Collins; daughter, Susie Hassel, and husband, Dana; his sister, Geraldine Anderson; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be held in the spring of 2019.

Memorials may be made in Clint’s name to the Grizzly Scholarship Association at the University of Montana.

Austin Funeral & Cremation Services in Whitefish is caring for the family.