Harvey F. Collins was
born November 7, 1939, and passed into the loving arms
of his Lord and Savior on February 17th, 2026. He was born
to Harry and Frances (Robinson) Collins in
Thermopolis Wyoming. He and his sister Bessie were born at the
end of the great depression and experienced the hardships of a
poor ranch family struggling in Wyoming. In 1944 Harvey started
grammar school at Morningside School located on the Missouri
Flats (or the misery flats as he called them), finishing his 1st and 2nd
grade there. He then moved to Thermopolis to finish his education
through 11th grade. Harvey knew the ranch on Owl
Creek wouldn't support him, so
in his youth he worked on neighboring ranches as a cowboy
and a ranch hand.
In 1958 Harvey met a
young girl from the nearby town of Meeteetse Wyoming that would
capture his heart and be the love of his life, Reta Lawler. Harvey would
later claim that Reta “tripped him on the streets of Meeteetse. They
were married on August 30th, 1958. From that
union they had 3 children, George (Linda) of Spring
Creek, Nevada, Karen (Larry) of Corpus
Christi, Texas, and Darell (Anita) of
Crescent City, California.
Harvey started a career in
construction work as a heavy equipment operator as well as an explosive
expert, mechanic, and welder. Harvey worked several different
construction jobs throughout Wyoming and ended his construction
career after 8 years on the North Slope of Alaska. In 1978, Harvey began a ranch management job on
the upper Southfork above Cody Wyoming, managing the A-Y
ranch until retiring in
2003. During this time, he also joined the Upper
Southfork volunteer Fire Department and served for 24 years until
his retirement. He was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a
leader in his church.
He
and Reta moved to Pompeys Pillar, Montana, in 2003. During their
time there, they started a bible study in their home which later
grew to be Pompeys Pillar Chapel church. It later
moved to its current location in the fire hall. In 2018, Harvey
and Reta moved to Crescent City, California for
a warmer, milder climate to enjoy their final years. Harvey was
an active member of Smith River Baptist church. He loved going to men’s
bible study every Thursday morning. Harvey loved fishing, hunting, photography, and
ranching. He had a special fondness for his horses. He took up
gardening and always shared in his bountiful harvest...zucchini
anyone? We will miss the many fishing and hunting adventures
he always took us on. He would encourage each of us to continue our
daily walk in faith and follow Jesus’s footsteps. He was a
devoted husband, father, and spoiler of his
grandchildren. Harvey is survived
by 7 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren with one on the
way. Several nieces and nephews complete the family. Harvey was proceeded in death by
his wife of 63 years Reta, sister Bessie Jo and parents,
Harry and Frances