John Albert Collins

John was born April 23, 1935 in Marion County West Virginia.

He grew up in the small community of Farmington West Virginia, where he played football at Farmington High school with Sam Huff, who went on to be in the Football Hall Of Fame.

John moved to Akron Ohio his senior year and graduated from West High school.

He then entered the United States Marine Corp. where he served in Korea as a demolition expert.

Upon his return to Ohio, he married Sue Simpson and they had 2 children: Debbie and Mike.

After their divorce he married Bessie Rose with whom he had 5 children: Cindy, John, Rosemary, Teresa, Julie.

Later, they also divorced and he married Virginia Barker Kilgore who had 5 children of her own: Raymond (Rocky), Mitch, Mike, Dan and Amy.

He has 35 grandchildren and more great-grandchildren than we can count.

He moved to Arlington Texas in the late 70's where he has lived ever since.

He has had many jobs and interests in his long life such as farmer, pin boy in a bowling alley, and worked at a roller rink and of course a Marine. John then worked for about 20 years in the rubber factories in Akron.

After moving here he went to school to repair air conditioners, then landed a job with the City of Arlington working for the street dept. He also worked part time for the Texas Rangers as an usher at the ballpark, which was his favorite job.

After retiring from there he worked as a crossing guard.

His greatest passion remained sports, especially football.

His service will be Tuesday 1:30 at the National Cemetery with a memorial lunch following at the home of his grandson Rob Valentine. Instead of flowers the family is asking that you send a donation to the VFW, at www.vfw.com. There is a place on the web site for donations.