Daniel Eugene Collar

COLLAR, Daniel Eugene ''Duke'', ''Forever Young''

Born May 8, 1926 in Modesto, CA; Dan passed away suddenly on February 26, 2005 after a perfect day of skiing at Lake Tahoe. Known as "Duke" to his grandchildren, a Sacramento area resident for over 50 years, he was the beloved husband of the late Barbara L. Collar for over 57 years; the father of Diane Anderson, Debbie Givens, Judy Kerns, Jill Towne; grandfather of eight, Brent Givens and his wife Amy, and Leslie Givens Setka & her husband Dominic, Troy and Tracy Anderson, Jenna Kerns, and Brittany, Haley and Connor Towne; great-grandfather of five, Spencer, Nathan, Andrew and Danica Setka and Luke Givens; and wonderful father-in-law to Bill Anderson, Rob Givens and Russ Towne. He is also survived by his uncle, Bob McNeil; cousins, Leon Wesner, Wayne Wesner, Marge Wilson, Jim McNeil, and Pete McNeil; his treasured sisters-in-law, Joan Bedell and Sandra Sherrington with brothers-in-law, Rick Wrobleski and Al Sherrington; seven nieces and nephews and fifteen grandnieces/nephews. Dan spent most of his early school years in Quincy, CA with his mother, Mary Waller and graduated from Quincy High School. A star athlete and good student, he earned his private pilot's license and loved to fly, especially to impress his sweetheart Barbara. After graduation he joined the Navy during WWII, following his discharge, returned to Quincy to marry Barbara, the love of his life. As newlyweds they moved to the Bay Area where Dan graduated from San Jose State University in Business Administration. During his college years he was in Delta Upsilon fraternity and he and Barbara had their first two daughters. Balancing studies and a young family, he was always a hard worker and held several sales jobs to support his family. After college, the family moved to Sacramento and Dan was in sales and management with NCR for 20 years, then for almost 30 years he owned his own life insurance agency, specializing in business and estate planning. Two more daughters were born in Sacramento and Dan was happy with his girls but was always outnumbered if it came to a vote. Dan and Barbara were longtime members of Centennial United Methodist Church. A lifelong tennis player, he had a special group of tennis buddies for over 30 years. Over the years, he and Barbara were avid sports fans and loved to be spectators at professional golf, tennis, car racing, air races, baseball and especially basketball with the Sacramento Kings. Dan was an avid reader of history and geography books. World travel with Barbara was always a passion; they danced and loved to explore new places which included with lots of long drives and stops for something sweet to eat along the way. He was accomplished at billiards and blackjack and loved a good game of cribbage. "Duke" was a devoted fan of his grandchildren's athletic events and performances and was a big part of all family gatherings. Dan was a casual kind of guy, young at heart, always wore a big smile and had an optimistic view about life. His family invites you to join them at a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00am at Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 344-2382. Dan provided much love, joy and support to everyone he knew, and we will miss him deeply.