After a long fight with MS, Richard Milo Collier, of Puyallup, WA died in his home, January 5, 2016. He was 69 years old.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marjorie, his children, Jeff (Becky) Collier of Vancouver, WA, Julie (Craig) Covey of Aloha, OR, Eric (Carleen) Collier of Rocklin, CA, Brian (Barbara) Collier of Incline Village, NV; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Bertha Collier of Yakima, WA, his brothers, Lloyd Collier of Sherwood, OR, Irvin Collier of Vancouver, WA, Kenneth Collier of Tacoma, WA and his sister Phyllis Christian of Visalia, CA.
Richard was born on January 19, 1946 in Puyallup, WA to Cecil and Bertha Collier. Richard graduated from High School in 1964, then joined the US Air Force in 1966 and proudly served during the Vietnam War in both the United States and Thailand until his discharge in 1969. Also, in 1966 Richard married Karen Keenan and over the next six years they had three sons together. In 1980 Richard married Marjorie Martin and with that marriage adopted her daughter, Julie.
Richard loved the outdoors. If you couldn’t find him and Margie at home, there was a good chance you’d find them camping or RV’ing. Richard was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to take his kids with him whenever he could. He taught all of his kids how to hunt, fish, shoot and camp; A tradition that his children carry on today with their own kids. He loved his family more than anything and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. This lead to him taking a job as an ambulance driver for Powers Ambulance Service from 1975-76. He was also a Volunteer Firefighter for the Prairie Ridge and Bonney Lake Volunteer Fire Departments.
Richard retired in 2001 after 25 years as a Tool Maker for Boeing Aircraft Company. Retirement allowed Richard and Margie to follow their dreams of travelling the country at their own pace. Travelling all over the country was fun and exciting, allowing them to visit friends and relatives whenever they wanted.
Richard was a Lifetime Member of the NRA. He also served a term as President of the of the archery club at The Tacoma Sportsman’s Club and two terms as President of The Play it Again Sams RV club.
A memorial is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on January 16, 2015 at the Sumner Family Church, 1476 Silver Street, Sumner, WA. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Richard's life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Richard’s name