Gareld "Jerry" Collins

Gareld Jefferson (Jerry) Collins, age 97, died at Madrone Hospice in Yreka California, on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. Born July 4, 1913, in Corrine, Saskatchewan Canada, to Amelia and Andrew Jackson Collins, He left Canada and came to Grants Pass, Oregon with his family in 1922. He attended high school in Grants Pass. Jerry served in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression to help support his family. On July 1, 1940 he married V. June Blevins of Grants Pass, in Reno Nevada. He and his new bride moved that same year to Yreka for his new job as shipping clerk for Littrell Parts. He became a partner in Littrell Parts in 1945 with Battie Batson. In 1948, the company started Littrell Welding Supply in Redding, California. These companies grew to 16 stores over the years. He sold the stores and semi-retired in 1989. He and his wife June enjoyed raising buckskin horses and trail riding. One of the big events of there lives was completing the Chief Joseph Trail ride from Oregon to Canada. Jerry was a member of the Rotary club, Masons and Shriner’s. He was a founding board member of Timberline Community Bank, Board member of California Automobile Wholesalers Association, and a member of the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Posse. Survivors include his wife V. June Collins of 70 years, his son Lael and wife Carolyn Collins of Yreka and daughter in law, Judy Collins of Portland, Oregon. Coral Cooper of Yreka is the only living sister of Jerry’s (9) siblings. Grand children are Michelle Hamilton and Ralph Collins of Oregon, Shaun Collins of Missouri, Harold Collins of Maryland, Gregory Collins and Sarah Roberts of Alaska, Chester Collins of Indonesia, Jeffery and Darrel Collins of Yreka. Jerry has (16) great grandchildren and (5) great, great grandchildren Jerry was preceded in death by his son Michael Lee Collins. Graveside services will be held at 10:30am Wednesday September 29, 2010 at Little Shasta Cemetery. For directions call Girdner Funeral Chapel 530-842-3434. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Shasta Church at 10115 Swigart Rd. Montague, CA 96064, Siskiyou Writers Scholarship at 11200 Pyrite Court, Montague CA. 96064, Madrone Hospice House at 255 Collier Way, Yreka, CA. 96097, Rose Brown Fund of GSSC at 912 S. Main St. Yreka, CA. 96097, or Siskiyou County Museum at 910 S. Main St. Yreka CA. 96097. Thanks to all the wonderful people at Meadowlark Assisted Living and Madrone Hospice for their help and support.

Gareld "Jerry" Collins

July 4, 1913 - September 21, 2010