Collin Grant Krage

Collin Grant Krage Sunrise-March 15, 1997 Sunset-April 14, 2022 Our beloved son, Collin Grant Krage, was born of our hearts on March 15, 1997 in Upland, California. He was given in love from God's arms to his birth mother's arms to our arms on a crisp and beautiful Saturday evening. Collin's life was full of love and grace. He was immediately loved and embraced by a huge extended family and a large church family from the moment he arrived. His 6-year-old sister, Alyse, was elated to finally have a sibling. He was smart and curious about everything around him. He was a very busy boy and we learned quickly that every door had to be dead bolted and garage door openers disconnected. Eventually, patio furniture had to be locked away too or he'd climb the fence to the neighbors' yards. All the windows also needed additional locks. When camping we resorted to tying bells around his ankle to keep him safe and us sane as we camped every year near the water at Bass Lake. He loved everyone around him and always woke up smiling, happy, and raring to go. When he was 2 years old his brother Evan joined the family. Collin and Evan became almost inseparable during their early years and up through junior high school. Collin started getting involved in sports very early to keep him busy. He loved being with friends and grew to be very competitive and was a gifted athlete. When he was 3 years old, we tried to get him in a boy's dance class but he took one look at what was going on and he flat out refused to join them but he loved soccer, baseball, basketball, Tae Kwon Do, golfing, snowboarding, and ping pong. Collin loved pre-school and elementary school. But he often found himself in a time out or disciplined for talking as he would have his work done quickly and just wanted to socialize. Collin went on to an accelerated junior high program that pushed him and he did very well there. He also chose to concentrate on baseball and Tae Kwon Do but he was a very gifted athlete in every sport he played. He started taking piano lessons and was quite good for his age but he had a hard time sitting long enough to excel. After a few years we discovered he was memorizing the songs and playing by ear rather than reading the music. Truly a gift that few musicians have but he eventually quit playing when he reached junior high school. He participated in Cub Scouts and later in the Boy Scout program and was involved in his church youth activities. He nearly had his Eagle Scout but turned 18 years old before he was able to finish his project-something he procrastinated and eventually regretted. Many weekends were spent on motorcycles, camping, sports activities, and many, many Saturday evenings were spent at Chuck E. Cheese with Dad, Grandpa John, and Evan while Mom was at work. Struggles came to Collin as a teen and he started exploring and getting involved in substances that affected his mind and his behavior. It was a heart-breaking path that he would struggle with on and off the rest of his life. He continued to fiercely love his family and they stood by him with every effort he made to conquer it. Despite his struggles and also having been sent to some programs he still did very well in high school and graduated with excellent grades from Santiago High in 2015. Collin met his birth mother the summer of 2021 and they developed a special bond and had plans to get better acquainted with one another and meet other extended family. He worried that meeting her would upset us because it was always an emotional discussion but we told him that he could never have enough people to love and be loved by. We explained the emotions were only because we were so grateful and thankful for the blessing of having him and loving him and for the sacrifices she made to bless our lives. At the time of his passing Collin was in machinist school was working part-time at Pieology. He was living in Redlands until he could finish school and looked forward to moving back home to Corona. He was happy, healthy, and 7 months sober. He was proud of his accomplishments and worked hard to continue progressing. He passed away suddenly on April 14, 2022, the news of which deeply devastated and shattered all of our hearts. Collin had the kindest soul and a huge heart for his family, friends, and animals of every kind. He gave the best hugs and wanted to hug and love on everyone. He told us he loved us in every call or text. He craved companionship and friendship and treated others with a kindness seldom seen. His passing has left a huge void in our life. He was very loved by so many here and no doubt is in the arms of Jesus and giving bear hugs to all of his family members and friends that are with him beyond the veil. Collin was preceded in death by his aunt Linda Scheiss, his uncle Larry Etchandy, step-Grandpa Bob Cartwright, step-Grandma Charlotte Krage and aunt Karen McDonald. He also has lost some very close friends from his childhood that affected him deeply. Collin leaves behind to celebrate his life, his parents Robert and Teresa Krage; his sister Alyse Nelson (Tyler-UT); his brother Evan (NC); his grand-parents, John Krage (CA), Elaine Bodeman (AZ) Jerry Rea (CA), and Sharon Cartwright (CA); uncles-Richard Rea and Tarry Rea (CA), John Krage (Michelle-CA), Frank Krage (Alleta-CA), Mike Krage (UT), Gordon Krage (Lisa-UT), his aunt Judy Etchandy (AZ), his birth mother, Teresa Barnum (CA); his sister Summer Barnum Matthews (CA) and brother Randall Esford (CA). He also leaves behind his sweet and beloved cat, Junior, dozens of cousins, and many friends. He loved each of them deeply and they him. The outpouring of love for our son has been greater than we could ever have imagined. His passing has left us in awe of the many lives he touched and the many people who loved him. Collin's Celebration of Life will be Saturday May 7, 2022 at 2:00pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1510 Taber St Corona CA 92881 Service The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints (Taber) 1510 Taber Rd. Corona, CA 92881 (951) 735-9230 | Saturday 5/7, 2:00 pm