Julian Judson “Jud” Collins, Jr., 93, of Tulsa, OK, formerly of Oklahoma City, OK, and Hinsdale, IL, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 7, 2019. “Junior,” as he was known throughout his childhood, was born on June 26, 1925, in Decatur, IL, to Julian Judson and Alice Mae (Stephens) Collins. He married his beloved wife of 63 years, Georgia Frances Bushnell, the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi,” on August 9, 1952, in Rochelle, IL. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters Estelle Marie “Betty” O'Leary of Thousand Oaks, CA , and Mary Eleanor Zeni of Batavia, IL; and his brother, Dale Stephen Collins of Morton, IL.
Jud is survived by his daughter, Mary (Terry) Johnson of Tulsa, OK; son, Mark Collins of New Canaan, CT; grandchildren, Amy Johnson of Austin, TX, Rachel Johnson of Tulsa, OK, Greg Johnson of Houston, TX, Alexis Collins, of Wilton, CT, and Hunter Collins of New Canaan, CT; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.
Jud was a 1943 graduate of Decatur High School, where he made the honor roll, was president of the French Club, and earned letters in track.
He was a proud veteran, having served as a pilot in the United States Navy in World War II, following high school, and in the United States Marine Corps in the Korean War, following college. During an aerial reconnaissance mission over North Korea, LTJG Collins's small Cessna observation plane was riddled with, and nearly brought down by, enemy anti-aircraft fire. He was wounded during the encounter and awarded a Purple Heart.
Following WW II, Jud went on to attend the University of Illinois, where he excelled academically, met his future bride, and was an active member and president of Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated with honors in 1949 with a B.S. in Marketing. Following the Korean War, Jud married Georgia, the love of his life, and embarked on a career in sales and marketing management with privately-held, Chicago-based candy manufacturer, E.J. Brach & Sons Company. While at Brach, he received a series of promotions that relocated the young couple throughout the central Midwest – Princeton, Indianapolis, Rock Island, and St. Louis – before finally delivering them in 1961 to Hinsdale, IL. Years later, after a successful career in the buttoned-down corporate world, Jud rolled up his sleeves and achieved success as a founder, owner, and managing partner of Quality Pets (originally U.S. Aquatics), a pet livestock and dry goods business based in Oklahoma City with operations in Louisiana and California.
Jud will be remembered for his friendly, humble demeanor, his sense of humor, and his lifelong passion for family, friends, and the Presbyterian Church. He was a loyal supporter of the University of Illinois, the United States Marines Corps, Sigma Chi fraternity, and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. For thirty-nine years, he was a devoted member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, serving as Elder, Deacon, and in numerous other capacities. Along with his wife, he was an active participant in a number of sports, most notably tennis and golf. Over the years, he and Georgia enjoyed many lasting friendships established through the University of Illinois, his business career, their club memberships, and many other affiliations.
Memorial services will be held on February 2, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City.
