Obituary: Joe Collins

Dual commitments to ranching and public service were a way of life for Meeker’s Joe Collins. Recently, Joe was honored for serving 10 years on the Habitat Partnership Program. This recognition marks more than 40 years of public service in some capacity, both in Meeker and on the Eastern Slope in Simla, Colo.
Joe has received recognition for his cooperation with the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service in their grazing projects designed to maximize the environment for wildlife by moving the cattle frequently and working around elk calving times and areas.
He served on the Rio Blanco County Fair Board for approximately eight years, the Meeker Town Board for three years and he was elected as a Rio Blanco County commissioner for three terms (12 years).
He was a member of the fairgrounds management board, the town planning commission and, most recently, resigned from the Habitat Partnership Program, on which he served since 2002. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Joe enjoyed working on the different boards and was quoted, “I just did the very best I could.”
When asked what he enjoyed the most about working in Meeker, Joe said “I have enjoyed my family the most, I have been very lucky to have my family!” He lit up when he talked about the four out of five grandchildren born while living on the ranch: Levi and Lance Pakuer, sons of Buddy and Lisa Pakuer; Jamie “Rogers” and J.C. Chintala, children of Mike and Lori Chintala; and his youngest grand-baby, Macy Collins, daughter of Lex and Kathy Collins.
Joe is survived by his wife, Donna “DC” Collins; two daughters, Lisa (Buddy) Pakuer and Lori (Mike) Chintala; one son, Lex (Kathy) Collins; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Patty (Harold) Anderson; one brother, Ed (Caroline) Collins; and many, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Joe loved Rio Blanco County.