Grandpa Collard

 We had the saddest end of May. On May 13, Grandpa Collard passed away, just shy of his 91st birthday. It is so weird to look back at this picture we took just last year to celebrate his 90th birthday. Little did we know that would be our last time to celebrate his birthday. 

Grandpa Collard fell about a week before he passed. At first he seemed to be ok and was up and walking, but after Terry and Craig took him to the hospital they found out he broke his neck in two places. The doctor was nervous to do surgery because of Grandpa Collard's age and the deterioration of his bones, so it was a wait and see situation. Grandpa Collard kept trying to pull out his IV's and neck collar so he had to be sedated for his safety. There was talk of moving him to a long term care facility, but Grandpa Collard would not have wanted that and made his wishes known. Within a few hours of looking at long term places, Grandpa Collard went down hill and the talk switched to hospice care. 

Saying good bye was so hard. Terry called Monday night and said Grandpa Collard wasn't doing very well. Tyler debated if we should go to the hospital, and I'm so glad we did. All of Doug's kids and most of his grandkids and spouses were all able to say their final goodbyes to him that night. We told him what an example of strength he has been to the family. A few hours later around 11:17 pm, Doug passed away. It's so sad for us, but I know his wife Donna, his parents, and some of his siblings were so happy to be reunited again. 

Tyler helped his mom to write an obituary and I thought it was a perfect depiction of Doug. This is not the final one that was published, but I wanted to include the original in our blog: 

Douglas Kay Collard (90) of Magna, Utah passed away on May 13, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 14, 193, in Huntsville, Utah to parents Wells Smith and Isabell Allen Collard. Doug enjoyed a childhood filled with adventure while supporting the family sheep business alongside his seven brothers and sisters. He graduated from South High School where he met his loving wife of 54 years, Donna Linnea Fornelius. They married on February 29, 1945. Following his service in the United States Army as a sergeant at Ford Ord, California during the Korean conflict, Doug and Donna raised three children.

Doug had a unique talent for inventing and fixing things, and was always striving to make things easier and better. He used these skills throughout his professional life where he worked for 30 years as a machinist at Kennecott Utah Copper Refinery (retired 1985) and as a contractor for Fluor Daniel at Hercules. With his strong will and persistence, he outworked all and never tired; in all things, he was the first to come and the last to leave. After retiring, he continued to keep himself busy tinkering around the house, yard, and garage.

Doug was an extraordinary example of integrity, honesty, and generosity. He was a devoted husband and happily cared for his wife in her final years. All who knew him admired how he served and always put others before himself. He was an avid storyteller with a great sense of humor. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends, traveling, camping, singing around the campfire, and trapshooting. He was a giant of a man, loved by all, and will be greatly missed.

Following the passing of his wife Donna, Doug was blessed with 17 years of companionship with friend and neighbor, Gayle Rocco. He is survived by his children: Terry (Craig) Evans, Tammy (Bruce) Taylor, and Roger (Lani) Collard; grandchildren: Tracy (Jeremy) Jones, Ryan Kiniry, Tyler (Kristen) Evans, Karly (Alex) Chavez, Clint Collard, and McCall Shipley; and great-grandchildren: Carson, Colton, Makayla, Caden, Camden, Kenzee, Preston, Brynnli, and Mason. Doug is also survived by his siblings, Rodney Collar, Connie Rogers, Juanita (David) Werrett, Bill Collard, and Larry (Vicki) Collard. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers Gale and Don.

After his passing, we spent a lot of time at his house. Terry found Donna's wedding gown and you wouldn't believe it, but Makayla fit right into it. She looks beautiful, just as I imagine Donna looked in it. 

Because of a bunch of reasons, we weren't able to have Doug's funeral until the end of the month. I think it is always so hard to see the person in the casket because it looks like them, but it doesn't. 

The service was so nice. Ryan (Doug's grandson), his sister and brother, and Roger all spoke. Then Tyler played "Be Still my Soul" on the piano, accompanied Roger and McCall as they sang, and then played the accordion while Roger played the guitar, and Doug's brother played base. Everyone said it was such a good tribute to Doug.

After the service the pallbearers carried his casket to the burial spot. 

There was a military salute to honor him as a veteran. 

After the dedication of the grave, everyone was able to write a note on his casket. 

Then we had a luncheon where Tyler and Roger played again and the kids sang one of Grandpa Collard's favorite songs, "You are my Sunshine"

We are so sad we no longer have Grandpa Collard here with us, but we know his is reunited with his wife and parents again.