More detail on this person: CW4 (Ret) Richard F. Collins, 80, of Clayhatchee, AL, passed away on
July 3, 2013 in Defuniak Springs, FL. He was born February 22, 1933 in Pelican, LA, the son of Allen
Thomas Collins and Mary (Genert) Miller.
Richard graduated from Mobile County High School in Grand Bay, AL in 1952 and joined the United
States Army serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. He later attended Warrant Officer Candidate
School and Flight School where he was the Honor Graduate. He was a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot
and served in a variety of assignments including Germany, Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded several
citations including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Richard married his wife, Barbara Manning, in June 1955 and they celebrated 58 years of marriage
this year. Richard was a faithful member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Level Plains and a
proud member of the Wiregrass Camp of the Gideon's International.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 7, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Level
Plains with Rev. Mike Foreman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Searcy
Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 4 to 6
PM. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Level Plains
Building Fund, the Gideon's International or your favorite charity.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Evelyn, Dorothy and Doris and a brother,
Willard. Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Manning) Collins, Clayhatchee, AL; his sons, Richard
Collins Jr.(Patricia), Decatur, AL, Bruce Collins (Lucy), Clayhatchee, AL; six grandchildren, Jared
Collins(Julia), Caitlin Collins, Ryan Collins, Jon Collins (fiancAc Jessica Baxley), Anna Collins
Calderon (Juan), and Hayley Collins; one brother, Cecil Miller of Fairhope, AL and many nieces and
nephews.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website:
www.searcyfuneralhome.com
Published in the The Mobile Press-Register from July 5 to July 7, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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