Obituary of Gale Grant Collins

COLLINS, Gale Grant died on January 11, 2018 at the age of 81. He was born to Goldie and Alvin Collins on September 2, 1936 in Bisbee, Arizona. While in high school, Gale played in band for four years: Orchestra, Swing Band, Pep Band and sang with the Glee Club. He was also an accomplished athlete during this time. Played junior varsity football for two years, he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams and ran track. Joined the Letterman's club his Senior year and competed in the Gold Medal Tournament for three years. Gale served in the Navy as Radar Repairman from 1953 to 1961. He later went on to receive a Bachelors in Business Administration from Arizona State University with an undergraduate in computer programming. In addition he completed various certifications in insurance damage assessment which would lead to his career as an insurance adjuster. Using his education, he created and/or managed multiple Insurance adjusting companies for nearly four decades. His own company was one of the first in the industry to use computers. Gale created the initial computing system used to store claims. Gale's passion for helping those in need and seeking justice made him loved by his customers. He retired in Hereford, Arizona where he custom built his dream home and fulfilled his boyhood dream of building and running a ranch. He spent his retirement years gardening, fabricating, raising his grandchildren and rescuing stray dogs. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Janet Collins; son, Donald Collins; four grandchildren, Aaron Collins, Blake Collins, Chris Collins, Nicole Boetticher, one great-granddaughter, Tessie Collins. Gale is forever immortalized by a quote his grandchild blurted out one summer 30 years ago: "My Grandpa sure likes to drink beer!". Even at the age of 81 he never forgot this innocent homage his grandchild made to him. Gale will always be remembered for his sharp wit, his "dad jokes" and loving nature. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Brite Spot off of Hwy 92 in Hereford, Arizona. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.