Jack Collins

He was the son of Jasper Robert Collins and Mae Thompson Collins. Born in Barnesville Georgia on November 8, 1935, he enjoyed an idyllic small town childhood. Honor graduate of Gordon Military Academy and Gordon Military College where he was a member of the SABRE Club ROTC before transferring to Mercer University. Upon graduation, Jack was commissioned as Infantry officer and stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia in 1958.

After his service, he returned to Barnesville Georgia where he was a member of the Barnesville Rotary Club. He moved to Columbus in 1966. Later in 1969, he joined forces with Bill Huff and became president of Collins and Huff, Inc.

Jack married Peggy Hawkins on March 19, 1966 and enjoyed the love of three doting daughters. Throughout his life, they enjoyed traveling to Maine, summers at Lake Martin, and many adventures in Highlands, NC. He always led the charge with his insatiable curiosity and instinct for fun.

Jack was a former member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus. He served on the boards of South Columbus Boys Club, City of Columbus Facade Board, and Trees Columbus. He was a board member and trustee of Historic Columbus Foundation and a member of the advisory committee for the building of the Columbus River Center. Jack was a member of the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary logging over 1000 hours as a volunteer. In 2013, he was chosen as the St. Francis Mardi Gras Ball King.

He cherished his membership at Trinity Episcopal Church. He served on the vestry and the building committee for the construction of the new Parish House and Sunday School building and was Chairman of the Memorial and Arts Committee since 1988. He was also a faithful member of the Church of the Incarnation, Highlands North Carolina, where he was a summer resident.

Jack brought beauty and elegance to multiple generations of Columbus families. For decades, he helped shape the way Columbus lived and entertained, leaving his distinctive touch on countless homes, churches, and cultural institutions as well as on the lives of the people who knew him.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife of over 60 years, Peggy Hawkins Collins, his daughters Margaret Collins Boltja (Stephen), Laura Collins Allen (Tom) and Chandler Collins (Julian Singer). Jack cherished his grandchildren; Bo Allen (Redding), Maggie Allen, Emma Allen, Athens Georgia. Peggy Boltja, Jack Boltja, Macon Georgia.

He will be remembered with enormous affection for his warmth, wit, style, and the joy he brought wherever he went. His hilarious stories will live on in our memories forever.

The family would like to say a special thank you for the love and care given by his dedicated caregivers; Janice Jones, Marie Tyner, Shawn Tyner, Jackie Thoombs, and Nicole Thoombs and all the members of the Hospice House of Columbus Team.

A service will be held on September 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus, Georgia and a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or Ark Animal Rescue.

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