Ronald Lee 'Ron' Collins, 54
Ronald Lee "Ron" Collins, 54, passed away on Jan. 1, 2006, in Spokane, Wash., as the result of an auto accident.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home for friends to pay their respects. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Jan. 7, 2006, at the Athol Church of God in Athol, Idaho, with George Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Athol Grandview Cemetery.
Ron was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Feb. 17, 1951, the son of Oliver "Tex" and Laura (Nobs) Collins. He grew up in Coeur d'Alene and attended local schools and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School.
He worked for Buttrey's Foods and General Telephone Company. He married his first wife, Gloria Vanderkelen, and she preceded him in death in 1986.
Ron moved to Thompson Falls, Mont., in 1982 and was the manager of the Chevron Feed and Fuel Station for five years. Ron moved to Sandpoint in 1987 and married Terrie Abromeit in Athol, Idaho, on July 18, 1987. They made their home in Sandpoint, where he worked as an industrial electrician for Louisiana Pacific in Chilco and Sandpoint. He was currently working at Riley Creek Lumber Company in Laclede at the time of his death.
His hobbies included motorcycle riding, fishing, old cars, church and his family. He will be missed by his devoted mother and those who were blessed to know Ron will remember his profound love of family, how he and Terrie lit up each others' lives, his deep faith and generosity. He opened up his heart and home to many. He also had a great passion for his work as an electrician and for fixing things, whether it was rebuilding his motorcycles or wiring the church.
Survivors include his wife, Terrie Collins of Sandpoint; three sons, Brent Collins, Justin Collins and Eli Collins, all of Sandpoint; a daughter, Ashley Collins of Sandpoint; his mother, Laura Collins of Coeur d'Alene; a brother, Perry Collins of Quincy, Wash.; an aunt, Helen Martin of Coeur d'Alene; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws; and his extended family of his church.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Oliver "Tex;" and his first wife, Gloria.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Athol Church of God, P.O. Box 241, Athol, ID 83801
A special memorial fund to help the family has been set up at Panhandle State Bank.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Ron's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.