Charles Dexter Collins Jr.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for 30 years, spending time in the 82nd Airborne before serving 22 years in the Special Forces in Fort Bragg. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam in CNN Special Ops as a jungle expert. He was awarded many medals and commendations while in the service, including a Purple Heart. He was a pioneer member of the HALO team in Fort Bragg.

He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Maria, for 57 years. He was a wonderful father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Collins; his daughters, Astrid Williford of Tazewell, Tenn., Jessie Prichard of Zebulon, and Carmen Girardin of Augusta, S.C.; and a son, James Collins of Raleigh. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Collins of Stallings, W.Va.

A visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight, Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Reeves Funeral Home in Hope Mills. A funeral service will be held at 1p.m. in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Village Drive in Fayetteville, with Father Steve Carlson officiating.