Cory Grant Collard, age 31, of Payson, Utah, was tragically taken while in Idaho spending special time at the Snake River with his brothers.

Cory was born on October 1, 1990 in Payson, Utah and was raised in Castle Dale, Utah by his loving parents, Christian and Marylin Collard.

Cory was the eldest of five boys, Clay, Cezly, Hunter, and Chad. What Cory loved most was spending time with his brothers, whether it was boating, camping, working out, gaming, or boxing; he shared all his passions with his brothers. Cory was the absolute best big brother ever, constantly looking out and helping the Collard Tribe. He was their biggest supporter and best friend to each one of his brothers. No matter what they chose to do he was right there by their side helping them along. Cory especially loved to watch his brother “Cassius” Clay Collard take the wins in his MMA career. No matter the distance they always stayed close. With the loss of their youngest brother, Chad; Cory was determined to spend as much time together as possible and that is exactly what they were doing at the time of Cory’s passing.

Cory married the love of his life; his junior high school sweetheart, Hailey Collard on September 27, 2014. Hailey immediately fit right into the Collard Tribe and has a great love for all the boys as much as Cory did. Hailey fell in love the moment that she saw that little skater boy for the first time; he had a skateboard in one hand and a book in the other. Hailey instantly knew that was her man.  Hailey and Cory recently added their own baby boy, Shea McLain on December 16, 2021; one more Collard boy to the adventurous Collard Tribe. Shea McLain Collard was born just a few weeks after moving to their new home in Payson Utah. Shea McLain was the newest and brightest light of Cory’s life. There was not anything he was more proud of than being a dad. Being a father fit Cory well, he was instantly comfortable with his newborn son. Cory knew that becoming a dad was his greatest accomplishment.

Cory was an amazing example to others. Cory was brilliant and mastered everything he did. Cory graduated from Emery High School with a 4.0 GPA which led to him graduating Magna Cum Laude from SUU with a degree in creative writing. If you have ever read one of his poems you would know how amazing his writing was.

Cory loved and lived life to the fullest. His love of skateboarding was obvious to anyone who knew him. He was constantly on a board, skateboard, snowboard, or wakeboard; give Cory a board and he would rock it. Not only was Cory an amazing athlete he was too smart for his own good.

Cory was employed as the head of HR at the Provo Canyon School and will be greatly missed by all of his coworkers. He loved his Provo Canyon School job and all the people he worked with.

Cory is survived by his loving wife, Hailey, Payson, UT.; son, Shea McLain Collard, Payson, UT.; parents, Christian and Marilyn Collard, Castle Dale, UT.; brothers, Clay Collard and Cezly Collard, both of Burley, Idaho, and Hunter Hatch of Payson, UT.; in-laws, Lisa and Les Cox, Orangeville, UT.; and sister-in-law, Courtney Christenson.

Cory’s baby brother, Chad Shea preceded him in death by a year and half. Cory is also preceded in death by his, grandparents, Clifford and Larena Collard and grandfather, Winston Ray Palmer.

There is no way to explain the great loss of Cory who was the leader of a special bunch. We can only hope that the lessons he taught us and the special love he gave to everyone will help all of us get through this difficult time. The family would like donations to be made to Hailey Collard for Cory’s final medical expenses and funeral costs. Venmo link http://account.venmo..com/u/Haileycollard

Funeral service, Friday, August 5, 2022, 2:00 p.m., Miller’s Landing (123 North Main Street, Huntington, Utah). The family will receive friends starting at 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Huntington City Cemetery, Huntington, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Cory online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net