Jock Richard Collins

Jock was born and grew up in Hitchcock, Texas, but graduated from La Marque High School where he lettered in football. He attended Texas A&M University graduating initially with BS Degree in Animal Science, being the first of seven siblings to gain a university education. The following year he received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1957. Jock was ultimately awarded the State of Texas Governor Rick Perry Outstanding Alumnus Award by Texas A&M University in 2006. After graduation Jock completed his Selective Service as a U.S. Animal Inspection and Quarantine Officer (where he received many commendations for his expertise and efficiency) and as a Federal Department of Agriculture Meat Inspector before joining his twin brother in their veterinary practice at Briar Tanglewood Animal Clinic in Houston. Jock subsequently opened an additional practice at the Westwood Animal Clinic where he practiced until his retirement from veterinary medicine though he continued to work in corporate management in other ventures.

Dr. Jock had many interests at which he excelled including being a champion sailor racing catamarans, and other sail boats. He was a certified SCUBA diver, excellent dancer, hunter and fisherman, skier, and inventor, (holding more than ten U.S. patents issued and pending). He often played chess to sharpen his thinking prior to examinations such as in his university studies and before he took and passed his Texas Real Estate Brokers License Examination. He could and did personally hands-on build several homes as well as veterinary hospitals. His photographic expertise won him many awards as well as greatly contributing to financing his university training. He was willing to, and did, accept virtually any challenge in which he had an interest and almost always succeeded. Always a forward thinker, Jock was a renaissance man, a polymath.

Dr. Jock, his wife, Vicki and family established an Endowed Scholarship at which will perpetually fund scholarships to students attending the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. He was a great supporter of his profession where he received the Leo Bustead Companion Animal Award, a Mark Francis Fellow at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, President of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the Delta Society-Interactions of People, Animal and Environment and other professional groups and organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vicki Collins, daughters Laura Deike and son-in-law Roland, and Lorraine Koerner and son-in-law Paul. Seven grandchildren: Collin and Ashlyn Willcox, Robert Deike and Gray, Jax, Cole, and Grant Koerner. Jock was also survived by his sister, Joan Duncan and his twin brother, Dr. James (Jay) Collins, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Jock was preceded in death by his parents: Dagny and William Collins, sisters: Dagny Davis, Jean King and Thelma Waidhofer, and brother, William (Bill) Collins, III.

The family wishes to thank the caretakers who helped take such good care of Jock: Mary Busos, Domo Daniel and Teresito Paqueo Jones.

Dr. Collins endured his years of extreme pain and failing health with courage and dignity. Service will be held on Saturday April 8th at 1:00pm at Bering Drive Church of Christ 1910 Bering Drive Houston, TX 77057 (713) 783-2340. Reception to follow at the church where everyone will be able to greet the family. Private interment will be in the afternoon at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jock R. Collins, DVM ’57 and Vicki P. Collins (with Laura Collins Deike ’90 and Lorraine Collins Koerner) Endowed Scholarship at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Checks should be made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation and mailed to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Attn: Development Office, 4461 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4461.