John (Jack) William Collier, 85, of Arnold, departed this life April 25, 2013, in Callaway, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Jack was born July 9, 1927, in Kearney, to John N. and Helen L. (Bartz) Collier. Jack grew up in Stapleton, and graduated from Baker High School in 1945. Jack started his life-long love and career in ranching as a young man at the Baskin Ranch north of Stapleton. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1946 and served his country during World War II in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1947.
After a short stint with the Union Pacific Railroad, he and his father purchased a ranch 12 miles north of Stapleton in 1949. Jack’s introduction into ranching took him through the Blizzard of 1949, of which he had many stories to tell. In 1950, a second ranch was purchased in eastern Logan County. On May 18, 1952, Jack and Genevieve Ilene Wade of Tryon were united in marriage in North Platte. Jack brought his new bride to this ranch where they raised their three daughters, cattle and Quarter Horses. In the late ’50’s Jack acquired a private pilot’s license and enjoyed many years of flying his own airplane. Later in life he enjoyed antique and classic automobiles.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Arnold, American Legion Post No. 324 and VFW No. 8258, of Stapleton, and Flatlanders Car Club of North Platte. Jack was a former member of the Flying Farmers and Ranchers Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Meredith Rennick; and nephew, Robert Rennick.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Genevieve Collier of Arnold; his daughters, Jackie (Vernon) Stenger, of Maxwell, Judy Gracey of North Platte, and Brenda (Mike) Shinn of Kearney; grandchildren, B.J. Stenger, of North Platte, Marty Gracey, of Grand Island, Kisha Zieffle, Cody (Katy) Gracey, BoDell Gracey, of North Platte, Riley (Drew) Weir of Kearney, Nolan (Katherine) Shinn of Kearney, Jordan (Whitney) Shinn, of Omaha, and Bethany Shinn, of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Gavin Gracey of Hastings, Kale Kuhlhanek, of Ansley, Colo., Carly, Cache Gracey, Hunter and Emily Secrest, of Sidney, Aidan Weir, and a great-grandson due in August; his sister, Eleanor Rennick, of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; his niece, Kay (Rick) Janecke of Richland, Wash.; his nephew, John (Donna) Rennick, of Oregon; his cousins, Bill (Sharon) Collier, of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Tom (Caryl) Collier, of Jefferson City, Mo.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Arnold Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, at the Arnold Methodist Church with Pastor Dale Coates officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date by the family. Arnold Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.