Larry Lee Collins

Larry Lee Collins passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 20, 2026, at the age of 90, while residing temporarily in Calimesa, California.

Born on January 12, 1936, in the mining hospital at Gilman, Colorado, Larry grew up in the small railroad town of Minturn, Colorado, nestled at the base of Tennessee Pass near what is now Vail. He was the son of James A. and Irma K. Collins, long-time residents of Minturn and Greeley, Colorado.

At 18, Larry began his career with the National Park Service at Rocky Mountain National Park, living and working in tents in the Boulder Brook Basin. Leading a crew, he focused on eradicating white pine blister rust—a major threat to the region's pines at the time—through Ribes removal efforts that were part of broader historic campaigns in the park. His exceptional work led to plans for a transfer to Yellowstone, but instead, the NPS created a dedicated Resource Management division under his oversight.

Larry pursued higher education at the Teachers College of Greeley (now the University of Northern Colorado), where he met Mary "Karen" Featherston. He was elected freshman president and one of his responsibilities was organizing school dances. Karen joined the dance committee and they started dating. The couple married on the same day they both graduated. Larry earned triple majors in Mathematics, Biology, and Physics, along with a master's degree completed during his student teaching. Recruited by Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California, he taught math, biology, physics, and later driver education and training—often before and after school, on Saturdays, and even instructing driving instructors at Cal State Long Beach in the evenings. He became deeply involved with the California Driver Education Association, serving in multiple leadership roles, including as president.

Though Larry devoted nearly 40 years to teaching, his true passion lay in seasonal work with the National Park Service. Over 35 summers, he undertook demanding outdoor tasks: felling hazard trees, maintaining trails, stocking high mountain lakes, searching for lost hikers, battling wildfires, performing technical rescues for injured climbers and hikers, and restoring human-impacted areas to their natural state. In one memorable instance, he even delivered a baby in the back country.

A devoted family man and avid outdoorsman, Larry instilled in his children a love for hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, and rock climbing. For his 70th birthday, he celebrated by skydiving with his family. He and Karen shared adventures in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and white-water rafting. Larry was deeply committed to his church and community, teaching Sunday school and Bible studies, serving as a deacon and elder, and contributing to numerous committees. He donated gallons of blood over the years, volunteered with his
local Sheriff's Department, assisted friends with remodeling projects and tree removal, and enjoyed woodworking, crafting many items for family and friends.

Larry and Karen enjoyed 56 years of marriage filled with extensive travel across Europe, the United States, and Canada—including three memorable trips to Alaska: one involving a floating yurt and kayak. Their favorite mode of travel was in their Class C, Fleetwood Jamboree RV.

The couple resided in Lakewood, California, before retiring to become Colorado residents in Estes Park. When the harsh winters got to be too much for them they warmed up in their second home in Sun City, California.

Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen. He is survived by his three children: daughter Kelly Maples and sons Kyle and Kevin Collins; his older brother James "Richard" Collins; 10 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Larry's legacy is one of tireless service, deep faith, boundless adventure, and unwavering love for his family and the natural world. He will be profoundly missed.