Michael Cameron Dollard
September 29, 1948 - March 2, 2024
Ol Foul Mike took the checkered flag on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Michael Cameron Dollard, 75, of Sterling, CO passed in his home surrounded by his family. Cremation will take place and no services will be held at this time.
Mike was met at the pearly gates by his little brother Mit otherwise known as Timothy Dollard, his dad Robert "Bob" Dollard, his best friend Trundy, and countless brothers in arms.
Mike was born September 29, 1948, in Gunnison, Colorado to Robert Walborn Dollard and Gail Anette (Young) Dollard. Mike's memory lives on with his wife Ina who stuck by his side for 49 years. The last of the Dollard brothers Robert who responds best to Foss and his wife Linnea aka Spark who carry Mike's memory with them as they travel the country. Mit's wife Marilyn lovingly renamed Smurbet who remains a loved part of the family. His Mother Gail. His 3 kids and 4 grandkids. Mike lived a unique and exciting life. He raised hell in Limon graduating from Limon High School in 1966. Some of the best parts of his childhood were spent with his granddad Gomer and grandma Janet who taught him to shoot, fish, hunt, mine for gold and use dynamite- just normal kid stuff. He was competitive in flat track motorcycle racing. Mike met Ina Carpenter January 1974; he quickly marked his territory? ?oh, the romance. They were married in December 1974. Mike and Ina had 3 hellions David, Amy, and Rudy who process grief with sarcasm and inappropriate jokes. Mike taught the kids all the important things in life such as how to find a remote, how many curse words can be used to explain the importance of keeping the fishing line out of the motor, and how many items can be called bogatrous and clerenderms. Mike brought his own spin into parenting with items such as a Boom-a-wangey which is a great Saturday night event with all the friends, rides in the Model A or motorcycle, and his own language. He answered Uncle Sams call and was enlisted in the U.S.
Army in 1969 serving during the Vietnam Conflict with the 1st Cavalry, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Echo Company, and was awarded many medals for his heroism including the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, 2 Bronze stars one with Valor and one with Merit, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, and Vietnam Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on March 22, 1971.
After being injured in Vietnam he hopped on his Triumph and toured much of Europe where he picked up a few bad habits and a couple good ones.
Mike dedicated much of his life to Archeology. He worked with his close friend Toft "hunting" and mapping miles of property finding thousands of artifacts. Mike's work was recognized at UW, CSU, KS, KU, and the Smithsonian. Mike inspired many students and loved his time on the flat top.
Mike loved shooting. He and his friend Rod were regulars at the 1000 yard shot. There are many great shooting stories about Mike on Sniper's Hide. He was an instrumental part of Logan County Shooting Sport Complex, and was a member of Sterling Elks Lodge #1336, Lions Club, and Ft. Wicked. He was also involved in competition shooting and firearms education. He worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation as a mechanic and retired after 30 ?1/21/2 years. He learned to hate the color orange but could fix almost anything.
Mike was active in the community; he was a literacy tutor for Logan County Literacy Coalition, a professional Santa for 4 years and volunteered for many years with Sterling Secret Santas and other organizations.
Contributions can be made to LCSSC, Mike Dollard Memorial at 315 Main Street Sterling, CO.