Donald Collins

Donald Raymond Collins was born to Charles Raymond Gray and Vera D. Landing on July 7th, 1936 in Doris, California. He was a railroad kid, living with his sister, Anne, mother, and stepfather, John S. Collins, a Southern Pacific Track Supervisor in Keg and Lake Head California. After attending Shasta College, he joined the U.S. Navy. 

Donald proudly served 20 years as a Pattern Maker, retiring in 1975 as a Chief Petty Officer. Donald served aboard the USS Jason, then the USS Regulus, the USS Proteus on her tour to Scotland, the USS Fulton, the USS Yellowstone, and the USS Dixon. 

After retiring, Donald and his wife, Meri-Francis Barnett Collins decided to live in Hardeman County, Tennessee, where he had purchased land, while stationed at Memphis Naval Air Station in Millington. Donald and Meri purchased a home in Cedar Grove Subdivision in 1976 where they now reside.

Over the years, Donald has enjoyed a series of jobs to supplement his retirement. These include: driving a cement truck, for Lynn Sipes, working as a carpenter with Jack Cooper, delivering papers for the Bolivar Bulletin Times, following his trade as a molder at Pyrotek in Trenton, and enjoying working for the Tennessee Forest Service.

Donald is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Meri, whom he married in 1967, 2 daughters, Caty Young (Brian), Margaret Prichett (Will), 3 sons, Richard Christian (Rita), Donald Charles (Julia), and David Michael Collins, 13 grandchildren, Kristy Gentry, Craig Collins, Kaitlyn King, Jessica Galloway, Lyric Guy, Nathan Young, Brianna Lambert, Michael Collins, Aaron Collins, Lydia Collins, and Noah Collins, Samuel Collins, and Eleanora Collins, and Heather Rumsey; 15 great grandchildren, and good friends, Carlos and Jessie Roads, and Trell Jones, and Donald’s beloved cats, Meadow and Bebe.  Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to Hardeman Adoptable Animals % Kitty Kapers (https://www.hardemanadoptableanimals.org/donate/)