Born: Kansas City, Mo.

Family: Wife, Stacy, teaches at Genesis Christian Academy; daughter, Rachel, 21, is a senior at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

Occupation: Owner and technician for Larry’s Performance Automotive.

Dream job as a child: In second grade, Collinge had to paint a picture for an art contest of what he wanted to be when he grew up. Collinge drew a service station attendant.

“It seems kind of lame, but that’s what I wanted to be,” Collinge said.

The teacher thought otherwise, as Collinge’s sketch took first place.

“I don’t remember it being particularly good, but the teacher apparently liked it because it won the contest,” he said.

Digging deeper: Though Collinge doesn’t sell gasoline as a grown-up, he does fix cars.

He opened Larry’s Performance Automotive in 1999 southeast of Tonganoxie at 16379 206th St.

A 1975 Tonganoxie High School graduate, Collinge has lived in Tonganoxie most of his life. He trained to be an auto body repair technician, but discovered he preferred working on the engines rather than exteriors.

Collinge at one time competed in drag racing, something he “really enjoyed,” but hasn’t done for some time.

“I didn’t really have the time (anymore) and other interests make it too expensive,” he said.

His other interests are restoring classic cars and participating in church activities. He also has an interest in politics “but no interest in running for office,” he said.

Collinge is president of the Tonganoxie Motorcycle Association, which generally meets on Friday evenings.

He said he has a bike for most occasions, but normally rides a Gold Wing. He hasn’t been on a long ride to South Dakota or other distant destinations, but he’s not ruling that out.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it, I’ve just never done it,” he said.