Dale Maurice Collins

Dale was the son of Robert and Ethel Lee (Smith ) Collins. He was born in 1931, in Miami, Florida.

Dale graduated from Miami Senior High School where he played basketball on two State Championship teams (1948 and 1949). He then attended the University of Miami and played on the freshman basketball team. The following year, the Korean War called him into the service with the US Air Force. After serving for two years, Dale completed his education at Florida Southern College, where he was a member of the basketball team. It was at Florida Southern that he met the love of his life, Dot Vanderford, while waiting in line to register for summer classes. Their first date was to a dance in the Crystal Ballroom; they were married 9 months later on February 3, 1957.

Dale and Dottie raised their family in Miami, where for 34 years, Dale was a much loved and greatly respected Physical Education teacher, and basketball and football coach at Palmetto Senior High School. He remained in contact with many of his high school players throughout his life.

Dale was a devoted Christian and a source of constant encouragement in the faith to all who knew him. He loved sharing Jesus with others. He also loved sharing life and career guidance with his students and players.

While his lifetime of coaching was incredibly important to him, his wife and daughters were always his first source of delight. Dale was a family man in every sense of the word. He loved being Dottie’s husband and Jan and Cheryl’s Dad.

Dale is survived by his wife, Dottie, his daughter, Cheryl Collins McGugan, his son-in-law, Greg Briguera, and grandchildren Brandi McGugan, Leann Briguera, and Tyler Briguera. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jan Collins Briguera.