Ronald L. 'Ron' Collison

Ronald L. “Ron” Collison passed away on July 10, 2008.

He was born in Spokane, Wash., on April 21, 1948, the first child of Verlin and Opal Collison.

He attended school in Spokane until the eighth grade at which time his family moved to Sandpoint because his dad was than employed by PGT.

Ron graduated form Sandpoint High School in 1966 and married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Linda Banka, in June of the same year. Together they had two children and made their permanent home in this area.

He worked for the railroad, power construction, and the Forest Service during the year of the big Sundance and Kaniksu Mountain fires.

In 1969, he took a job with GTE/Verizon where he did line work for 35 years.

Before his retirement in 2004 he was replacing open wire communication lines he had helped build years before with the new fiber optic system.

Ron loved fishing and hunting in North Idaho, his biggest achievement was shooting a seven-point elk with his muzzle loader. He enjoyed tying flies and reloading his own ammo.

He was also a huge fan of NASCAR races. He and his son Monty had several years of fun racing a hobby car at State Line Speedway.

His determination and mechanical abilities earned them seven top five finishes in the point system during those racing years.

Ron also enjoyed riding his motorcycle each year. He always commented the riding season was just too short.

Ron is survived by his wife, Linda, at their home in Sandpoint; his son, Monty of Spokane Valley, Wash.; his daughter, Robin (Brian) Clark also of Spokane Valley; and three beautiful granddaughters, Kennedy, Brooklyn and Danika. He has one brother, Jack (Kris) Collison of Cornelius, Ore.; a sister, Connie Clark of Sacramento, Calif.; and numerous sister- and brother-in-laws and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother and father, mother and father-in-law, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law, two infant nieces, and one infant nephew.

Ron was so loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. So much did he enjoy having coffee and conversation with a special group at Mitzy's each morning.

He had such a wide range of knowledge his opinions and suggestions were of great value. A quote form the 1966 yearbook describes Ron as “A Man is a Man is a Man.”

Private family services will be held in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Ron's family would like to invite friends to join them for a reception reflecting the life of Ron Collison at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Division Street, from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 27.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ron's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.