Robert Thomas Collins

Rev. Robert Thomas Collins, Jr., age 81, of Pataskala, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, November 1, 2013. He was born March 17, 1932, in Columbus to the late Robert Sr. and Julia Collins. He was a 1950 graduate of Kirkersville H.S.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1957, he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and was married to Frances D. Richards the same year. He pastored two years and was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

He graduated from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, M.O., and in 1962 went to Brazil, S.A., where he and his wife served as missionaries for 34 years. He learned the language, started a church in Americana, Sao Paulo, founded the youth work in Brazil, taught at the seminary, served as Mission Director, and during the last four years, served as President of the Seminary. After retiring, he served as Pastors Work and Witness Coordinator for the Department of World Mission.

He was a member of the Shepherd Church of the Nazarene where he was very active in the Prayer and Praise Group and taught a Sunday School class.

Rev. Collins and Frances authored a book about their lives as missionaries. The book, "Shot in the Line of Duty", will be released in 2014. Rev. Collins put God first. He loved the Lord with all of his heart, mind, and soul, loved his family and his neighbor as himself.

Robert will be missed by his loving wife, Frances, of 56 years of marriage; sons, Robert H. (Melinda) and Craig (Olinda P.) Collins; grandchildren, Thomas, Renee, Lucas, Craig, Jr., and Cintia Collins; great-grandson, Chris Collins; sisters, Janet (Lawrence) Hayman and Ann (Jim) Stout; brother, Nelson Warren (Carol) Collins; uncle, Owen Ramsey; aunt, Isabel Collins; cousin, Howard (Rosemary) Emswiler; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, November 5, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. (at Beecher Rd.), Gahanna, OH. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at the Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 425 S. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment to follow at Kirkersville Cemetery.

A memorial fund will be set up through the church.

To share memories or condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.