George Donald Collins

He is preceded in death by father and mother George K and Emma Collins, brother Jack Collins and his wife Goldia, brother Jimmy Collins and his wife Charolotte, brother Gary Wayne Collins, sister Ann Vaughn, and son William E (Billy) Sweeney.

Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara. Children, Robert and his wife Linda Collins, Darryl and his wife DeeAnn Collins, Rebecca and her husband Justin Innerarity, and #5 Robin Archer.

Grandchildren, Chase and Kaitlyn Thompson, Claire Collins, Robert Collins, Carmen and Mikey Labit, Haley Collins, Blake Collins, Abby and Samantha Rodgers, Bradley and Cassidi Wyers, Zachary Wyers, Karlie and Kyle Fletcher, Braley and Donny Warlick.

Great-Grandchildren, Ellis, Charlotte, Whitley, Lincoln, Kashton, Reighnan McKinley, Owen and River, plus two, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Don went to school in Hitchita, OK where he graduated in April of 1957.

In August of 1958 he entered the U.S. Navy where he served as a hospital man in San Diego, CA and U.S. Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, Tx.

In 1968, he met Barbara Auderer on the beach in Galveston, Tx. They were married on September 15, 1968 and he put in 52 years married to the love of his life.

Don’s greatest passion in life was fishing. He was a fishing guide at one time. He could give everyone he met quite a story about all the fish he caught but never the one that got away.

His greatest joy was teaching his children how to duck hunt and of course fish. They are his pride and joy and he loved them more than life.

Don was baptized at the Gordan Faith Prayer Chapel on January 24, 1980.

He retired from boiler making and pipe fitting in 1993.

He said not long ago that he was ready to go home to Jesus. That he had lived a full life with happy memories and no regrets and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the greatest accomplishments of his life.

Don was also of American Indian heritage. He was a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Pallbearers will be Robert Collins, Bradley Wyers, Zachary Wyers, Todd Russel, Chase Thompson, Bill Wyers, and Justin Innerarity with honorary Pallbearer Art Hackney, and Sam Browning.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church Highlands, 210 N. Magnolia St., Highlands, TX 77562. Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm, Monday, November 23, 2020, with funeral services to follow at 4:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com