Charles Coll

Charles Hinkle Coll ("Chuck") of Roswell, NM passed away suddenly on Sunday evening September 7, 2025, at the family farm as he was "putting up the sheep". He was 88 years old.

Chuck was born to Max W. Coll and Lillian Hinkle Coll on October 14, 1936, in Roswell. A lifelong resident, he graduated from Roswell High School in 1955. When he and his twin brother Jimbo were high school sophomores at NMMI, the brothers purchased ranches in Lincoln County known as the "lower ranch" and the "upper ranch" on Loma Grande near Nogal. They had to leave NMMI to attend Roswell High to work the ranches during the school year. The Coll Brothers also owned another ranch in southern Colorado.

He entered college at Colorado State in August of 1955. On August 16, 1958, he married Linda Sue Heine. They dated in high school, and he followed her to college where they both obtained their degrees.

In June of 1959 he graduated with a B.S. Degree in Ag. Business from Colorado State University with highest distinction where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He was commissioned into the US Army in 1959 and attended Officer Training School and Army Intelligence School. He served during the Cold War in Nurenberg and Oberammergau, Germany, as a counterintelligence officer having learned German in language school and living off base as a "civilian" beginning in 1961. Upon his father's passing in 1963, he left the Army to help his mother and brothers run the family oil and gas business and ranching interests. In 1964, Coll Bros. Oil was established between the original four Coll brothers.

With a growing family and with the encouragement of one of his best friends, Chuck returned to law school on the G.I bill. In May of 1974 he graduated from University of New Mexico Law School with a Doctor of Jurisprudence, Order of the Coif. He was admitted to the bar in October of 1974 and was employed by Sanders, Bruin & Baldock which became Sanders, Bruin, Coll & Worley in 1983. He was a partner with the firm for over twenty-five (25) years until he retired in 2003.

Throughout his lawyer life and continuing into retirement, he was known to many as a gentlemen farmer/rancher. He raised cattle or sheep and grew alfalfa hay on his small farm in East Grand Plains. His primary hobby was his passion for fly-fishing, highlighted by his annual fishing trip to Montana's Bighorn River for over forty (40) years.

He was a staunch Republican and proud patriot who served as Executive Director for the State Party, Chaves County Chairman, and local precinct chair. He was the long-standing County Finance Chair and famously sent out his subliminal-hypnotic fundraising letters. He was a wise conservative political strategist and a behind the scenes operative, never wanting recognition for his work.

He served on the NMMI Board of Regents for six years and was honored with The Crossed Saber's Award for service. He was inducted into the NMMI Hall of Fame in 2013 as a recipient of The George Ward Memorial as an alumnus who fostered the goals and ideals of NMMI. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Valley Bank of Commerce from 1985 to 2003. He served in many other community organizations.

He was an avid reader and historian. He was a man of integrity and extreme generosity who cared deeply for his community. He was a respecter of no man. He had the ability to bring people together and create solutions to complicated issues.

Chuck was best known for being a man of deep faith who loved his family with his big generous heart. He practiced leading others to Christ by being a servant leader. He was a tremendous teacher of God's word in Sunday school and a founding member and core group leader in Community Bible Study. Any prayers of his always included a prayer for rain.

He is survived by his spouse of sixty-seven years, Linda Heine Coll of the home. He also is survived by his three children and their spouses, Eric J. Coll (Kelly) of Roswell, Clarke C. Coll (Amy) of Roswell, and Kelly D. Murphy (Nick) of LaGrange, IL. He is also survived by eight grandchildren Macy Coll Peyton, Ashton L. Coleman, Taylor R. Coll, Spencer C. Coll, Cody C. Coll, Tara Beth Coll, Liam C. Murphy, Lillian M. Murphy, two step-grandchildren Bailey K. Coll and Benjamin C. Idom, and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother James N. ("Jimbo") Coll, brothers Max W. Coll, II and Jon F. Coll, daughter-in-law Shelly Stokes Coll, and great granddaughter Lucy Grace Coll.

Honorary pall bearers are his grandsons Taylor R. Coll, Spencer C. Coll, Cody C. Coll, and Liam C. Murphy,

A celebration of life service will be held at Christ's Church, 2200 N. Sycamore, Roswell, NM at 11:00 a.m. on Friday September 12, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Focus on the Family (www.focusonthefamily.com)