I have had the greatest gift of being able to refer to Roy James Collins, as my grandfather. To me he was more then that. This loving, generous, patient, and understanding man was my mentor, my role model and a father figure. He was a humbled man, and would have given his last dollar to help anyone in need. He was a gentle, loving man who was quick whitted and excellent at pushing my buttons. We were two peas of a pod and had a mutual understanding that I don’t think I could ever explain to anyone. He loved his children, grandchildren, neighbors and his animals. Maybe not in that order, as we all know his animals came first, and I would like to thank everyone today for coming to celebrate his life, and on behalf of our family I would like to thank you all for your kind words, and support. My grandfather was a simple country man. He was born and raised his family in Osnabruck center. He has worked as a farmer, a janitor, and his pride and joy, a truck driver. His favorite spot was sitting in his chair with his dog on his lap, a smoke in one hand and a fly swatter in the other watching the neighbor’s and the world go by, or bossing me around while I did the yard work. For you to all get a glimpse into this man’s life, and a side I’m sure you can all relate too he would let you learn from your own mistakes. One day, early spring I was out cutting the grass, I figured the ditch was long and I better cut it, well I buried the riding mower, and let me tell you she was stuck, so I got the tractor to pull it out, well you guessed it, I buried that sucker trying to get the mower out, and yes he was sitting in his chair the whole time, not a word, no advice, just a smirk on his face, covered in mud, and over an hour later I admitted my defeat. I told him we need another tractor or we better get a truck and try to get my mess all cleaned up. He laughed at me got out of his chair, walked over and sat on the tractor. It was buried enough you didn’t need to climb up on the sucker ,and in less then 5 min drove both of them out. Well you can imagine I had some choice words as he sat there and let me fight for so long, and between me and all you, I made such a mess that there was no cutting the ditch for the rest of that year. He looked at me and said, the grounds wet, why would you try to cut the ditch. I think he would let the grass go uncut knowing when I came over I would do it for him, and I also think he booby trapped stuff cause I learnt a lot of lessons on that mower. 1. Don’t cut the ditch when its wet 2. When you mow a toad over it explodes, and toad guts stink. 3. If you cut to close to a tree, and you knock a nest out, the mom will dive bomb at your head. 4. If you hit a bee’s nest, run forget the mower, run. 5. And last but not least, do not run out of gas, cause your pushing the mower back to the garage, ALONE. He took pride in driving his truck, his awards, and million miles accident free. He loved the times he was able to bring it home and show it off to the family, and to have all of grandchildren and children take pictures and blow the horn. Thinking about it now, he might have loved that truck the most. He loved to gossip at the garage, not that he cared much for their company, but loved the stories. Even up to the end, whether it be to ask how aunt Connie’s exchange students were, or if Scott was still in Montreal, how the girls were doing in school, or to tell you one nurse got 30 days off for being on his phone, he loved his stories. He didn’t care to talk much he wanted to know what was going on outside. He wanted to know that everyone was okay. From being one of the children raised in my grandfather’s home, I can tell you that one lesson he installed in us kids is to be humble, to be generous, no matter the case help your neighbor, your friend, and even a stranger if they need it. He taught us kids to be strong, that we do not need to be fused over, and hard work pays off. He taught us to love even when someone hurts you, and he taught us that if you cant drive a tractor and a stick, you had no business on the road. He took pride in knowing he had daughters who stood by his side. He took pride in knowing that you made amazing lives for yourselves, that you went to school, got an education and made something of yourselves. He wasn’t one to say it but you need to take solitude in knowing you were his greatest accomplishments. He loved having a son and grandsons to teach how to fix things and tinker. He loved sitting and installing his wisdom into people as he walked them through cleaning the carb on the tractor, or putting a new belt on the mower, or how to fix something on the tractor. He also had no problem telling you that your talking to much when you could be working a little harder. I loved my papa with all my heart, and though he may not be with me now, he will always be in my heart and in the heart of anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He would not want us to mourn his death, but to do exactly this celebrate his life. And as a tribute to him I ask that all of you do something this week in his memory to honor they neighbor. From buying a coffee for the guy in the drive through behind you, to baking something for someone, or as simple as holding the door. Thank you papa for raising me to be strong and for teaching me so many lessons, for being my rock when I needed you and even when I didn’t know I needed you. Thank you for supporting me in all of my life decisions and for being the best role model anyone could ask for, We will all continue to love and miss you, and will try to live life by the example you set. May you rest in peace, and take comfort in the arms of your mom and brothers who have missed you. Until I see you again I LOVE YOU.