A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Ken Collings, 84, of Fresno, California went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 13, 2012 with his family at his side. He was born August 19, 1928 in Wewoka, Oklahoma
Ken grew up in Ada, Ok prior to moving to California in 1943. He graduated from Fresno High in 1945 and received his accounting degree from LaSalle Extension University of Chicago. On a Saturday evening in 1948, he asked a young girl in church to remove her hat so he could see. She turned, refused and for the first time he met Helen Keith. He quickly got to know her and no longer had to worry about seeing past her hats as she sat next to him every Sunday after that. On June 17, 1950 they were married.
Kens first experience in retail began at the age of 10 working in a grocery store. He would go on to work for Cobbs Market, General Foods and Maxwell House before starting his career with Raley’s Supermarkets in 1958 as a clerk. Ken worked the next 35 for Raley’s and retired in 1993 as the company’s Personnel Director. The only things that surpassed his many accomplishments in his career were the respect and love that so many had for him.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen (Keith) Collings of Fresno; daughter Gail Freeman and her husband Glen, of Fresno; son Gary Collings and his wife Kimberly of Santa Clara; grandsons Jason and his wife Erin and Matthew and his wife Courtney; granddaughters Kristin and her husband Jim, Sarah and her husband Scott and Abigail; great grandchildren; Austin, Ava, Kayleigh, Ayden, Carson, Chloe and Lucie. Brothers; Charles and his wife Frances, Gene and his wife Yolanda and Ted and his wife Carol; Sister in law Glyndean and her husband, best man and high school friend Don Haskin; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Roy; mother Dessie; brothers Murry, Earl, Donald, Bill, Robert and sister Leona.
With respect to Ken’s wishes the family will be holding a private service.
“He fought the good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race!”
Memorials may be made to:
Palm Avenue Community Church
222 E Fountain Way
Fresno, Ca 93704
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