James Big Jim E. Collender

Jim was born on January 19, 1935 in Los Angeles, CA to Arthur S. Collender and Selma Sophia (Neelund) Collender.

Jim attended schools in Los Angeles, CA. He served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Infantryman in Korea from August 1952 to August 1955. He married Joan Adeline Fiala of Boulder, CO on May 25, 1957 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked for aircraft companies in California as a Design Illustrator and for Neon Sign companies as an Art Director in Phoenix, AZ, Boulder and Denver, CO. He retired in 2000 and pursued his art career in doing Western Art paintings and sculptures.

Jim was a life member of Boulder Elk’s Club, # 566, life member of Longmont V.F.W. Post #2601, was a founder and member of “The Hole-in-the-Wall” Gang and belonged to the Round Up Riders of the Rockies.

Survivors include his wife Joan of Broomfield, CO, daughter Jill S. Weber and husband Patrick of North Carolina, four grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, Amy and Meagan Weber of North Carolina, and brother Robert B. Collender of Glendale, CA.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Pl., Boulder, CO 80301. Interment, with military honors provided by John Harold Buckley American Legion Post #32, will follow. Memorial contributions in Jim’s honor may be made to Evercare Hospice or United Cancer Foundation. To send condolences please visit www.cristmortuary.com. Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.