Thomas "TL" Lawrence Collins III

TL was a man of humor who loved to joke and laugh. He spent his life as a devoted soldier, father, grandfather and friend.

He graduated Class of 1963 from Athens High School. He served the country in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968 with Charlie Company 2/4/7 9th Infantry Division. He took over his father’s company, Collins’ Paint and Wallpaper, which he ran until the early 2000s. He was a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 92, VFW and Purple Heart Association, and a longtime member of American Legion Post 20. He spent time as L.Z. Friendly’s President in Danielsville, GA, as well as with the 40th/8th in Loganville, GA.

He loved fishing, puzzles, good food, history and visiting with loved ones. He was as enthusiastic about sports as he was unenthusiastic about the cold weather, spending 22 years involved in American Legion baseball. This enthusiasm and dedication landed him in the Athens Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.

He had a pure outlook on life and never knew a down moment, always finding a silver lining in the clouds, brightening the mood of even the saddest visitor with his positive outlook on the world.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Maggie Collins; stepdaughters, Pamela Darden (Alan) of Helena, AL and Andrea Brown (Matthew) of Hartwell; daughters, Sarah Kathryn Collins of Banks County, Ashlyn Nicole Bahnsen (Mike) of Athens and Chelsea Anne Collins of Birmingham, AL; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

TL was preceded in death by his parents: Thomas Lawrence Collins Jr. and Frances Harrison Collins; daughter, Margaret Christine Collins; brother, Gordon “Yogi” Collins; and sister, Margaret Virginia Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to their hometown American Legion Post 163, PO Box 438, Statham, GA 30666, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or DAV Chapter 92, Oconee County.

A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.