COLLARD, RICHARD LEE  95, of Waterford passed into the presence of Jesus his Savior on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. He was born on January 26, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to David and Rose (née Tustin) Collard. Beloved husband of the late Beverlee Ann Collard (née Sloan) for 68 years; loving father to Lee Ann Collard of Waterford, Mark (Laurie) Collard of Sterling Heights, Ruth (Patrick) Hanna of Cambridge, Ontario, and Steve (Lydia) Collard of Sterling Heights and the late Kevin (Lorna) Collard of Sterling Heights; proud grandfather to 8 grandchildren, Becky (Chris) Lozano, Nathan (Jennifer) Collard, Gordie (Tammany) Hanna, Julie (Sam) Tovar, Andrew Collard, Derek Collard, Kristi (Dave) Metz, and Alyssa (Ted) Bogar; great grandpa to 8 great grandchildren, James Hanna, Emery and Sawyer Lozano, Henry Collard, Daniel and Jacob Metz, Elizabeth and Rowan Collard; brother of Thomas (Linda) Collard, Jerry Collard, Douglas (Sunny) Collard and the late Ronald (Pat) Collard; brother in law of  Elaine (Gerald) Simpson, Charles (Alice) Krause, Kenneth (Donna) Sloan, the late Marilyn Krause, and the late Sharron (Keith) Dunmore; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Richard attended Corunna Bible Chapel and loved the fellowship there.  He was known for singing hymns with gusto at full volume and for his love of the Bible and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is known to hundreds as "Coach Collard" having coached youth sports teams for decades in the Waterford area. He was the athletic director for Waterford Village school. He formed the Waterford Girls Fastpitch league enabling many girls to participate in sports prior to the enactment of Title IX. He volunteered, worked part-time, and coached in Waterford Parks and Recreation for over 30 years.  He created the Oakland Merchants Girls Fastpitch Organization. He was honored for his efforts by his induction into the Waterford Township Hall of Honor in 2002 and the American Softball Association Metro-Detroit Hall of Fame in 2006.

He graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1947. In his teens he worked in produce at Schmidt's Market, delivered the Detroit News and ran a newspaper station. He worked full-time until the age of eighty-nine for several companies as the manager of aircraft parts departments, including Detroit Aircraft Supply, Van Dusen, Q Air Parts, Royal Air and Michigan Aviation.

The family wishes to thank Tina Fisk for her loving assistance with the care of Dick and Beverlee for many years at their home.  We also want to thank all of the staff at dad's second home, The Village Place Restaurant, for their kindness and service over the years and for hosting his 95th birthday party.

Funeral service will be held Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11 AM at COATS FUNERAL HOME-CLARKSTON, 8909 Dixie Hwy. Burial follows at Crescent Hills Cemetery.  Family will receive friends Sunday 3-8 PM. A luncheon will be held Monday following burial at Coats Funeral Home-Waterford.