Michael Damon Collins, age 57, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 15, 2024 in Westminster, Colorado.

Mike was born August 31, 1966, in Sacramento California. Being part of a military family, he lived on both coasts and came to Colorado in the early 1990s. Mike enjoyed a long career working as a field service engineer maintaining and repairing office and printing equipment. Mike had an incredible talent for identifying and fixing all things mechanical, following in the footsteps of his Grandpa Woody and his Uncle Bob.   

Mike’s life was too short, but he lived it to the fullest. He was a quiet, conservative man. He would listen more than interject. Mike had valued, thoughtful positions and would share them when the time was right. He enjoyed history, including the World War II and Civil War eras. A green lawn was Mike’s neighborhood trademark; it was his hobby as well as his passion. Mike loved the flowers his wife planted each season and enjoyed working in the garden. His was a life well lived.

Anyone who knew Mike was touched by his kindness, and subtle sense of humor. Mike met his wife Andrea when she was working as a manager at McDonalds; he would come in every night for a cup of coffee, sit in the corner and read both Denver newspapers. The staff gave him the nickname “Mr. Coffee” and would tease Andrea that he liked her. The two had nightly conversations at the register until he ordered a Big Mac and asked her to join him for dinner, that was their first date. They were married in 1999 and the two were together for over 30 years.

Mike and Andrea seized every opportunity for adventure along with their dogs, riding ATVs, fishing, and enjoying nature. The dogs became an integral part of family life. Madison was their first Labrador Retriever, and she went everywhere they went. She was the reason they bought a popup trailer. She would sprawl out in the middle of the tent leaving Mike and Andrea to hug the sides. Mike felt a great loss when Madison passed at the age of 13 years. He found an adorable yellow Labrador puppy that filled the void and they named him Lincoln. Their patience was tested with all of Lincoln’s antics, he became known as “stinking Lincoln.”

The passion for Labrador Retrievers sparked a desire to foster dogs. Mike and Andrea have devoted their time and love to rescuing and fostering more than 70 Labrador Retrievers, including their “foster fail” Benelli.  Lincoln mentored Benelli in his antics and Mike would always say, “they share a brain!”

Mike always wanted to make a difference in each action that he took. He succeeded both in life with his efforts with the Lab Rescue, and in death through the gift of organ and tissue donation.

Mike is survived by his wife, Andrea; his mother, Shirley (John) and siblings, Thomas and Anne (Ben), an extended family of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, as well as his beloved dogs Lincoln and Benelli.

In lieu of flowers or planting a tree, please consider donating in Mike’s name to SAFE HARBOR LAB RESCUE.

LIFE IS BUT A STOPPING PLACE

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what’s to be,

A resting place along the road, 

to sweet eternity.

 

We all have different journeys. 

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

but never meant to stay…

 

Our destination is a place, 

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey’s quicker, 

For some the journey’s slow.

 

And when the journey finally ends,

We’ll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace, 

Together with the Lord.

~Author Unknown~