Jeffrey Collins

On Friday, April 29, 2022, Jeffrey Collins died at home in Abilene Texas. He was 60 years old.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Linda Collins, and their children: daughter, Crystal Burnett and husband Troy; son, Chris Collins and wife Kallie; daughter, Casey Rubio and husband Chris. Jeff is also survived by siblings, Kenny Collins, Debbie Minder, Kim Skaradzinski, and Cindy Mullis. Jeff has eight grandchildren, Madeline Haak, Carter Collins, Easton Burnett, Kambrie Collins, Jett Burnett, Colten Collins, Camden Rubio and Lillian Rubio. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Betty Collins and brother, Doug Collins. Jeff held his in-laws Lillian (deceased) and Bruce Laughlin in high esteem as honorary parents.
Jeff was born June 16, 1961 in Rockingham North Carolina to Robert Benton Collins and Betty Jean Thrower Collins. He married his best friend and High School sweetheart, Linda Laughlin, shortly after graduating East Mecklenburg in 1979. The young couple moved to Austin Texas to start a family.
Jeff was a talented athlete. He told countless stories of his short stop days in High School where he earned the nickname "Jake". And, incidentally, caught the eye of the year book staff photographer - the family joke is there were so many pictures of Jeff still in the dark room that they were published in the 1980 edition of the East Wind Yearbook - a full year after he graduated! He married that photographer and Jeff and Linda went on to share the next 42 years together, building a life of love and adventure. Jeff enjoyed traveling to Italy, Rome, Hawaii and Alaska and especially spending time with family driving his RV to Yellowstone, Jellystone, Branson and every state park within a 900 mile radius of Abilene! He was an avid book reader, a music connoisseur, a life long insurance salesman, and a golfer with the funniest stance. He loved his church and served as an usher and reader on Sundays. He never missed a Steelers game, March Madness or the Sox playing the Evil Empire on ESPN. Jeff was a passionate, gentle man who believed in the significance of a good daytime nap. He loved God and devoted his life to his family.
A Celebration of Life honoring the man many knew as Jake, who loved fiercely and unconditionally, will be held Monday May 9th at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Funeral services are at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd, Tues May 10th at 10:30 AM with the Rev. Msgr. Frederick Nawarskas (Father Fred) officiating. Lunch will be served afterward at Holy Family Catholic Church.

"Jeff (Jake) Collins, you will be forever missed."