Theresa Collier

Theresa Collier Cody, WY

Theresa Ann 'Tami' Collier (née McGinty) died on the night of Thursday, July 9, 2015 at her home on the Upper South Fork, outside of Cody, WY. Tami was 56 years old.

Tami was born to Patricia Jean 'Pat' McGinty (née Seabeck) and Denton Eugene 'Gene' McGinty on February 28, 1959, in Great Falls, MT. She was the second of three children.

Tami grew up in Newport Beach, CA, where she enjoyed outdoor sports and a large extended family. In her early teens, Tami's family relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where she played setter on her school's multi-year state championship volleyball team. She graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1977. Her team has since been inducted into the Cardinal Gibbons Hall of Fame.

Tami entered Florida Southern College on an athletic scholarship to play volleyball. In 1978, 1979, and 1980, her team competed in the National Championship Tournaments. Tami was an active member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She graduated in 1981 with a bachelors of science in teaching, with an emphasis on physical education and special education.

Tami moved to Cody, Wyoming in 1982, and she quickly fell in love with the West. In Cody, Tami forged a strong network of close friends and remained active in the community. She helped administer the Cody Peewee Football group upon its foundation and organized private volleyball seminars. Tami and her husband, Barron were adamant supporters of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Tami was honored to serve on the West Park Hospital Foundation Board and the Southern Colorado American Diabetes board.

Tami and her husband, Barron, raised their two children, Laura and Barron V, between Cody and South Florida. Tami took great joy in raising her children and supporting their activities. Tami coached her daughter's middle school volleyball team and was an enthusiastic parent volunteer at her son's school. In Florida, Tami was active in her local chapter of the Garden Club of America, served on the boards of the Society of the Four Arts, the Society of the Four Arts Children's Library, and chaired a committee for the Rehabilitation Center For Children and Adults. Tami also served on the House Committee and the Junior Committee of the Bath and Tennis Club. Tami was an active and competitive member of the local women's tennis community.

The Rocky Mountain West was Tami's playground. Her passion for athletics was fulfilled by her love of skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and triathlons.

Tami was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia Jean 'Pat' McGinty and Denton Eugene 'Gene' McGinty; and her brother, Timothy Edwin 'Tim' McGinty.

She is survived by her husband, Barron G. Collier II; her daughter, Laura IU Collier; her son, Barron G. Collier V; and her brother, Michael Denton 'Mike' McGinty. She also leaves her beloved dog, Bentley, and many close and loving friendships.

A celebration of life is to be held at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of August 9th at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Those who cared for Tami are invited to attend and share in remembering Tami's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tami's name to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in support of a children's play area, to be named in her honor.