Boyd Bonell "Bo" Collins

Boyd Bonell “Bo” Collins passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 25, 2019 in Commerce City, Colorado, at the age 47.

Bo was born in 1972 to Everett Boyd and Gayle Collins on Highway 550, en route to Montrose Memorial Hospital 10 miles south of Montrose, Colorado in the back seat of a two-door Dodge Coronet. 

Bo lived in several Colorado towns before the family settled in Brighton, where he grew up and attended Northeast Elementary, Overland Trail Middle School and Brighton High School.

As a young boy, Bo showed his mechanical ability by dismantling his toys and putting the parts such as motors to use in other toys. Bo had the opportunity growing up to be exposed to many different things. He enjoyed playing with the boys in his neighborhood, Peewee wrestling and youth baseball. He helped his dad with farming and ranching but definitely preferred the ATV over the horse. He went elk, deer, and antelope hunting and enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors. His favorite part was sitting at night looking at the stars.

After graduating from high school in 1990, he went to UTI (Universal Technical Institute) in Phoenix, Arizona where he received his Automotive/Diesel Associate Degree on November 15, 1991. He transferred to UTI in Houston, Texas to receive his Automotive/Diesel with a Transmissions Degree on May 15, 1992. He received several awards at UTI including being on the Directors list.

In between Phoenix and Houston, Bo was introduced to his first love Rhondalee Jean Neiberger. They were married on April 23, 1994. To this union two beautiful daughters were born, Molly Amelia Collins on July 21, 1996 and Sarah Abigayle Collins on March 19, 1999.  Bo was a family man and dedicated his life to support the ones he loved.

Throughout his work career he worked for Kirk's Diesel, Concrete Express, Sturgeon Electric, Performance Equipment, JE-CO Truck Service and was currently employed at Country Truck and Auto. Bo enjoyed a good mechanical challenge and each workplace furthered his knowledge and skill. He also did a lot of backyard mechanics for friends and family.  Bo was the best diesel mechanic you could find.

His rock crawling adventures brought out the “Bo” that we all loved. In building the rock crawler he could use all his creativity to design and engineer his ideas. He used all his mechanical abilities to build his own rock crawlers.  Bo had a “NO FEAR” adventurous spirit and was always up to trying the hardest trails.

Bo was fortunate to have another love in his life, Leigh-Anna Shamblin and on August 17, 2017 they were married. Together they loved to travel and experience the world together. They explored many Colorado towns and traveled to several other states including Arizona, New York, Texas, and Utah. They also shared many experiences outside of the country including Jamaica, Mexico, and Dominican Republic.  Bo and Leigh shared a type of love that many don’t ever get a chance to experience.  Leigh will forever keep that love in her heart every day.

Bo’s smile and joking humor will be missed by all of us. Bo touched many lives and was always ready to lend a helping hand.  As his father-in-law said, “he would give you the shirt off his back and then some”.  He was truly one of a kind, a true gem that will be missed and loved forever. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife Rhonda, paternal grandparents Everett and Stella Collins, maternal grandmother Greta Walls, and his mother-in-law Karen Schwab, along with several other family members and friends.

He is survived by his wife Leigh Collins, daughters Molly (Bailey Ludwig) and Sarah Collins, stepson Tyler (Brittany Farmer) Neiberger, parents Boyd and Gayle Collins, parent-in-laws Rick and Peggy Shamblin, his brother Dooley (Shara) Collins and her sons Michael and Cody Campbell, sisters-in-law Ann (Bill) Payne and Beth (Steve) Ficco, Michelle Koehn, brothers-in-law Luke (Cindy) Neiberger and Tex (Beth) Jenkins, nephews Everett Collins, Michael Anaya, Ryan Shamblin, Vinnie Ficco, nieces EmaLee (Fred) Brown, Erynn Collins, Gabby Ficco, Emma Jenkins, and great nephew Connor Brown and Michael Ayden Anaya. As well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation for family and friends to pay respects will be Thursday, October 3, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Tabor Funeral Home, 75 South 13th Avenue, in Brighton, Colorado 80601.

Funeral services honoring Bo are on Friday, October 4, 2019, at 10:00 am, at Harvest Fellowship Church, with Pastor Steve Blackwell, officiating. Reception to follow at the church from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Burial follows at Collins Cemetery, in Kersey, Colorado at 2:00 p.m.

Services are under the direction of Tabor Funeral Home.  Please share memories and send condolences by signing the online guest book on the tribute wall, as well as, view pictures of his life below.

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