Russell "Rusty" Collier, 62, of Hereford, Texas, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Seminole, Texas. Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church, in Hereford.  There will not be a visitation prior to the funeral, a meal and fellowship will be held at Hilltop Event Center following the funeral.

Rusty was born on October 26, 1962, in Hereford, Texas, the son of James and Eugenia Ann (Davis) Collier. Rusty was raised in Hereford, Texas but was a bit of a nomad in the late 70's and 80's living all over Texas and Eastern New Mexico, wherever he found work. In the late 80's he settled in Garden City, Kansas where he met and married the love of his life, Denise, on March 11, 1989. They made their home and farmed in Garden City until 2010, when they returned to Hereford to help manage his brother's farmland. Rusty and Denise were inseparable; they spent every single day together, and it was well-known that Rusty could hardly get anything done without her by his side.

Rusty had a deep love for fishing, often seen with his massive tackle collection and his trusty coffee thermos in hand. He and Denise enjoyed many fishing trips to Ute Lake and loved driving back roads through the mountains with their loyal pup, Wally. Rusty had a gift for conversation, and he never met a stranger. He could strike up a chat with anyone, often with the friendly question, "So, where y'all from?"

Rusty's greatest joy in life was being "Paps" to his 12 grandkids. If you didn't hear him hooping, hollering, and howling on the sidelines of their sports games, he was cheering them on from home with multiple phone calls to parents for score updates and coaching. He was their biggest fan.  He never missed an opportunity to play pretend or snuggle them up in his chair for a nap.

Rusty will be remembered for his infectious storytelling, his unmistakable love for fishing, his signature overalls, his boisterous cheering at sports events, and his deep admiration for Donald Trump.

The family invites everyone to wear overalls or their fishing gear in his memory. He made his funeral wishes known to his wife over the past few years and he wanted an upbeat, "FUN" funeral to celebrate the life and legacy he has left behind.

Rusty is survived by his beloved wife, Denise Collier of Hereford, four sons Nathan (Krystal) Collier of Holcomb, Kansas, Nick (Danielle) Collier of Eudora, Kansas, Nolan (Candyce) Collier of Lenorah, Texas, and Eric (Rachael) Collier of Garden City, Kansas, one daughter Stefany (Chris) Powell of Hereford, Texas; his 12 grandchildren Clayton, Lily, Cooper, Cason, Colton, Preston, Braxton, Madilyn, Brooke, Ava, Scarlett, and Stanley; three brothers Matt Collier, Mark (Charlotte) Collier, and Robby (Amy) Collier all of Hereford, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends from all over the world.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James "Jimmy" Collier, Eugenia Ann "Jean" (Davis) Burnam, and two brothers James Collier and Ronnie Collier.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Rusty's name to Deaf Smith County Museum or Hereford Sports and Wellness.