“The battle’s over, the Victory won.” On July 12 our beloved husband, dad, “pops” and Poppa went home to be with the Lord after a valiant 4½-year battle with cancer.

Brian Lee Collart was born in Fullerton to Everett and Theone Collart on July 31, 1949. He completed their family of four with his older brother Todd. Brian grew up in Southern California, first in Compton and then in Mission Hills. His childhood was filled with love and many memories made with his extended family.

The YMCA was also a big part of his youth, where lifelong friends were made. A great memory for him during this time was a three-month trip with the Y to Europe, where 27 college-age kids and leaders drove three Volkswagen buses across the continent. YMCA reunions with their friends continued periodically up to this last year.

In 1969, Brian moved to Arcata to finish a degree in geography and obtain an elementary teaching credential from Humboldt State University. He picked HSU because it was the farthest college from home without leaving California!

After obtaining his credential he began a 34-year teaching career, all at Dow’s Prairie Elementary School in McKinleyville. He loved teaching and taught third through sixth grades over the years. He had an impact on hundreds of students and was still in touch with many. His hot air balloons, Friday groups and other creative projects were essential to his joy of teaching.

In 1974, Brian met Andrea at a teacher’s workshop at HSU. They were married in 1977 and were made for each other. They built a wonderful life and family together on their faith in the Lord and their love. They had a son, Nic, and a daughter, Heather, and then added to the family a daughter-in-law and son-in-law and four precious grandsons who were the delight of Brian’s life. He loved reading to and with them and doing woodworking projects, kayaking and watching all their sporting events. He also taught the boys the “Collart Scrape” and to never leave any ice cream in the bottom of your bowl.

Brian loved the Lord from an early age and his faith was exemplified in his servant’s heart to care for and help others. He was a role model for his children and grandchildren as well as hundreds of students, living out his Christian faith.

Brian was able to enjoy 15 years of retirement, which included fishing trips with buddies to Montana, woodworking, growing raspberries, blueberries and apples. His famous raspberry jam was a hit at fundraisers. He and Andrea were able to travel to Europe several times, to Alaska, Canada and across the States. A full life indeed.

Brian leaves behind his wife of 44-plus years, Andrea; his children, Nic (Shannon), Heather (Wade); four wonderful grandsons, Rylee, Dylan, Myles Collart and Ford Martin; his brother Todd (Cheryl) and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents Everett and Theone, his in-laws Harry and Elsie and so many of his much loved aunts and uncles.

We would like to thank all the caring, compassionate doctors, nurses and staff at Stanford Cancer Clinic who treated Brian over the past 4½ years. Also, thank you to the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s Cancer Center and hospital where he was able to receive cancer treatment during COVID. In his last weeks we are especially grateful to all the caring nurses and staff from Hospice of Humboldt who helped us through a difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, Brian’s Birthday, at Arcata First Baptist Church, 1700 Union Street, Arcata, where he attended for almost 50 years. The family asks that masks be worn to protect all attendees and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following organizations:

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Brian Collart’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.