Fay Harold Collins went to join his family in heaven June 7, 2025 at the age of 90. He was the last of a generation. Along with his identical twin brother Ray they were the youngest of 11 children born at home to Robert Lee and Minerva Collins on the Collins family farm in Carroll County Arkansas. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse near the farm in Osage AR. He graduated from Green Forest High School.
He met the love of his life Shirley Jeanette Dent in high school and they were married while he was on leave from service in the US Navy. July 10, 2025 would mark their 70th anniversary. His service in the Navy followed the tradition of his brothers who served in various branches of the Armed Forces. His brother, PFC James W. Collins, made the ultimate sacrifice killed in action in the Philippines late in WWII. Fay served during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in San Diego, CA, Whidbey Island, WA and his final assignment in the Seabees on the Island of Guam.
He worked in a Safeway warehouse in Tulsa, OK after his discharge and in the early 1960s moved to California in search of a better job to support his young family. He joined 3 of his brothers and 3 of his brothers-in-law working in the oil fields. He started at the bottom as a roughneck, advanced to derrick man, driller, tool pusher and ended his almost 40-year career as a partner in a drilling consulting firm. He worked all over CA drilling for oil, natural gas and steam and later in his career spent some time on the north slope of Alaska and in the deserts of Libya. Many oil field families moved frequently to be close to where the work was located. Fay and Shirley decided to keep their family in one place to establish a better home environment which meant Fay worked away from home most of the time. They settled in Manteca, CA and resided there for over 60 years with 55 of them living in the one and only primary residence they ever owned. They relocated to Fresno, CA in 2022.
When he wasn’t working he enjoyed family barbeques, fishing and gardening. He still has a tomato plant on the balcony of their apartment. He liked watching the San Francisco Giants and 49ers and listening to classic country music. The good old stuff. In his later years he could watch old western movies and TV shows like Gunsmoke for hours. He kept his mind active working jig saw puzzles and there was always one on the table near his favorite chair.
Fay was a simple man of few words, a patriot with a quiet faith and strong family values. If you were not willing to work hard to earn your way through life and support your family or you spoke out against our Country he did not have much use for you.
Fay was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lee and Minerva Collins. 6 brothers: Henry, James, Ernest, Nubern, Dearl and twin brother Ray. 4 sisters: Gertie Zajak, Edna Layton, Goldie Buel and Mattie Head.
He is survived by his wife Shirley. Two sons, Scott (Teresa) and Kevin and their daughter-in-law Lisa who has helped support and care for them as if she was a daughter. Six grandchildren-Daniel (Samantha), Allison (Klein),Kristen (Devin), Natalie (Austin), Kendra (Michael) and Kathryn (Jeremy). There are 12 great grandchildren all under the age of 8. Numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families.
Fay will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
A celebration of life for Fay will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.
