Robert Ray Collins, 93, passed away on February 28, 2018, in Houston, Texas after a long illness. He was born on July 5, 1924 in Beaumont, Texas, and attended Beaumont High School where he graduated in 1941. He went on to attend Texas A&M University, earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1948. Mr. Collins served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the storied 103rd Infantry Division. He was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his combat service in France and Germany.
Mr. Collins worked as an engineer for Mobil Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries for over 32 years, managing some of Mobil’s largest capital projects around the world. When he retired from Mobil in 1984, he was General Manager of Engineering for Domestic Refining and Chemicals. In retirement, Mr. Collins focused on his grandsons, consulting work, travelling to far flung places around the world, and his golf game. He loved to talk about the times he was able to play St. Andrews in Scotland and his trip to France to celebrate the 50th reunion of the 103rd Infantry Division. He was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Houston for almost 40 years.
Mr. Collins is preceded in death by parents, Shellie Ray Collins and Delia Brooks Collins, and by his brothers George and Richard. He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Patricia Collins of Houston, sons Michael and David, both of Houston, grandson John Kelley and wife Adrienne Kelley of Fort Worth, and grandson Christopher Collins, M.D. of Asbury Park, NJ. He is also survived by nephews Randy Collins, Ricky Collins and Ronny Collins of El Campo, Joe Coco of Corpus Christi, and nieces Robin Crowell of El Campo and Sheila Coco of Anaheim Hills, California.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the kind and loving people who provided so much assistance during Mr. Collins’ final years, including Joanne Spencer, Simoneaux’s Medical, Inc., Darrell Simoneaux, Genevia Simoneaux, Pam Williams, Sasha Womack, Nancy Cooper, RN and Robin Hunter, PT. The family also wishes to thank Chris and Adrianna Santizo, and Ismael Gonzales for all of their assistance. Visitation will take place on Monday March 5th from 5-8pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place Tuesday, March 6th at 11am at St. Francis Episcopal Church located at 345 Piney Point Rd. Houston, Texas 77024. Reverend Stuart Bates will be officiating.
