Tom Collett, 78

Thomas "Tom" A. Collett, 78, of Grand View, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, surrounded by family, at a Boise hospital.

Celebration of Life services were held Tuesday, Aug. 16, at the Rimrock Jr./Sr. High School auditorium in Grand View. A reception followed at the Senior Citizen Center.

Thomas was born May 29, 1927, at home 10 miles south of Burley, where he resided with his family until they moved to Grand View in 1934. Tom often shared many fond memories of his school days at Hayland Elementary, a two-room school house, his family said, and Grand View High where he graduated in 1946.

Following high school he attended Boise Junior College, majoring in engineering, but left to help out on the family ranch.

He married Juanita Osborn in July of 1948. They raised a family of four children and worked the family ranch until selling it in the early nineties. He and his wife bought a smaller ranch outside of Grand View where they have lived ever since.

Tom enjoyed serving the community through the Grand View Lions Club, of which he was one of the founders. He was an active member for over 50 years. He also served as a deacon and trustee at the Knight Community Church in Grand View.

"He was a family man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and teaching others who were interested," his family said. "He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who will always remember his easy going spirit and loving nature."

He is survived by: his wife, Juanita Collett; his sisters Viola Black of Nampa and Ida May (Harlan) Hill of Pullman, Wash.; his four children, Mardi Collett-Hexum (Ron Hexum), Carol (David) Harter, Betty Collett, and Edwin (Ria) Collett, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father Thomas W. Collett, mother, Minnie V. Peterson, and brother, Harold Collett.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Grand View Ambulance, P.O. Box 191, Grand View, ID 83624.