Bryan William Collier passed away in Denton, Texas on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at the age of 64. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Robert Eugene and Jean Frances (Ash) Collier.

Bryan met his wife, Laura Anne (Brown) Collier, in October of 1989 and later married on October 19, 1991. Bryan had three children from his first marriage, Jacob (Jake) William, Ryann Michelle and Amanda Leigh. Together, Bryan and Laura had four children, Dalton Grey, Rugger Austin, Cody Garrison, and Candace Kaylynn. Bryan also had three precious granddaughters, Kye Leigh Miller, Hazel Jean Miller and Archer Renee Collier.  Bryan's children and grandchildren were his pride and joy, and truly the light of each and every day.

As a child, Bryan and his family lived in a handful of places as his father's career in higher education evolved. Bryan lived in Norman, OK until 1967 while his father taught at the University of Oklahoma. The family then moved to Commerce, TX from 1967 to 1970 during the East Texas University years. In 1970, the family moved to Tahlequah, OK until 1978, when Bryan graduated from Tahlequah High School. Their family then moved to Denton, TX while Bryan attended and played basketball at Eastern Oklahoma State University for two years. Bryan then transferred to Oklahoma State University and walked on to the football team. Injuries cut his collegiate athletic career short and he moved to Denton and began taking classes at The University of North Texas. Bryan was still drawn to playing sports and began playing Rugby with the Denton Rugby Football Club. Bryan loved these years playing rugby, traveling with the team, and always cherished the lifelong friendships he made. The Rugby team was definitely an extended family to him.

Bryan, as an avid athlete, not only loved playing sports, but watching them and cheering from the crowd as well. He played many sports from a very young age, baseball, basketball and football. He grew up being a Sooners fan and a devoted Minnesota Vikings fan, through thick and thin. During his college years is when he became an Oklahoma State Cowboys fan as well. As his sons, Dalton and Rugger attended The University of Oklahoma, and his son Cody is attending Oklahoma State University, he had even more reasons to cheer for his beloved teams. In the last few years, as his daughter began attending Oregon State University, he added yet another team to his fan base, the Mighty Beavers. During his last few weeks, he heatedly spoke of all the change ups in college football and came up with several scenarios for finding the Oregon State Beavers a worthy home.

Bryan's greatest joy as a sports fan, was watching, coaching and cheering on his own children. Even though he had never played soccer before, he stepped up to coach both Jake and Amanda's teams and had a blast coaching Ryann and Amanda's softball teams. He coached Dalton's basketball teams and swelled with pride watching Jake, Dalton, Rugger and Cody play football. His weekends were packed with youth soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball and cheerleading. Never an opportunity was missed for him to break into conversation about his kids and the successes and challenges of the Falcon football, volleyball or marching band. He wore green and that LD ball cap almost everywhere he went for at least 10 years.

Outside of sports, Bryan thoroughly loved being outdoors. Most of his life, he hiked, camped, fished, boated and swam whenever possible. His most cherished memories that he often shared were of the Collier family lake house at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. He vacationed with his family and kids at Yellowstone, the Teton Mountains, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. If he wasn't building a campfire, he was enjoying his fire pit in the back yard.

Now, we get to celebrate his life and Bryan hiking his final trail to the best campsite around and seated by the fire enjoying his eternity of blissful peace.

Bryan was preceded in death by father, Dr. Robert Eugene Collier and mother, Jean Frances (Ash) Collier.

Bryan is survived by his wife, Laura Brown Collier, children Jacob (Jake) William, Ryann Michelle, Amanda Leigh, Dalton Grey, Rugger Austin, Cody Garrison, and Candace Kaylynn Collier. His granddaughters Kye Leigh Miller, Hazel Jean Miller and Archer Renee Collier. Also survived by his brother David Collier, nephew Jo Collier and niece Sydney Collier; sister Sherri Collier Gideon and brother in law Wes Gideon, niece Brandi Gideon Felderhoff and nephew James Gideon; brother David Curran and sister in law Veronica, nephews John and Christopher Curran. He is also survived by several great nieces, nephews and cousins.