September 15, 1936 – September 2, 2019
Lorenza’s story began on September 15, 1936 in Jacksonville, Florida as the only son of Mildred Green and Paul Collins. He attended school in Jacksonville and graduated from Stanton High School in 1954.
Lorenza was accepted to Florida A&M University on a football scholarship where he was the Head Sports Trainer for the football team and Sports Editor for the newspaper. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity before graduating in 1958. He then entered the Florida A&M University School of Law and graduated with honors in May 1961.
While at FAMU, he met Eunice Peterson who he later married in March 1961. He was drafted into the United States Army in August, 1961 and reported to basic training at Fort Sam, Houston Texas, where he completed Dental School. He served his first tour of duty at the 98th General Hospital in Weirs Bach, Germany. Eunice joined him months later. In 1963, they welcomed their first son, Gerald Stanley. After completing his first tour, he re-enlisted into the Army in November 1964. He was able to return to the United States to serve his second tour at Walter Reed Hospital. He was honorably discharged in November 2, 1967. During this time, Timothy Reginald was born in 1965, then Veronica Elise in 1966.
After returning to civilian life, he began working at Drug Fair drugstore where he quickly became an Assistant Manager then was promoted to Manager. In 1973, he landed a Pharmaceutical Sales position with Ayerst Laboratories. He was a valued employee and retired in 1998 after 25 years of dedicated service. Throughout these years, he also provided loyal support to his mother-in-law and other family members until 1989, which will be long appreciated and remembered.
Lorenza became a proud and doting grandfather to his first grandson, James Arthur Jones, who was soon followed by Tyler Robert Collins, Jacob Lorenzo Jones and Zachary Isaiah Collins.
In 1995, he reconnected with his childhood neighbor, Doris Nelson, and they married in 2007. He embraced her two daughters, Yolanda Dudley and Jessica Nelson, along with their loving families.
Lorenza passed peacefully from this life the morning of September 2nd after a rapid decline in health. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and friends during the last days of his life. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and devoted caregiver. He always loved watching sports, staying well-informed about politics and current events, going to the movies, eating a good seafood meal, all while spending time with his family.
Family members he leaves to treasure his memory include: wife Doris Collins; children: Gerald Collins, Timothy Collins; Veronica Jones (James), Yolanda Dudley (Michael) and Jessica Nelson; and ten grandchildren: James Jones, Tyler Collins, Jacob Jones, Zachary Collins, Christian Nelson, DeMarco Parker, Marcus Dudley, Na'ilah McDowell, Shaddai McDowell, Bakari McDowell. Also, his former wife and good friend, Eunice Collins.
He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Wilson, father Paul Collins, step father Willie Wilson who lovingly raised him, half-brothers: Willie Anthony Wilson, Willie James Wilson and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends.
