More detail on this person: LTCOL Larry M.
Collins, 76, passed away peacefully in his home on
Tuesday at 1:45 am, while surrounded by the love
from his family.
Larry Collins was born and raised in Southern
Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents;
WWII Army Veteran Jason J. and Genevieve M.,
and sister, Brenda Blume. He adored his father and
followed in his footsteps. After graduating from
Marion High School, he attended the University of
Colorado at Boulder on a NROTC scholarship. He
was commissioned in 1958 and attended Officer
and Naval Flight Training. He was a proud Naval
Aviator and pilot of F-9, F-11 and T-2J Buckeye
Jets and UH-34 Sea Horse Helicopters.
LTCOL Collins was a proud American, an officer
and gentlemen. Serving his country for 26 years in
the Marine Corp. he was highly decorated for his
service. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart
while at war in Vietnam, and served as
Commanding Officer, Operations Officer and
Executive Officers in West Pac tour of Japan,
Hawaii, and California. He retired with the rank
of LTCOL from El Toro 1 July 1984.
LTCOL Collins was an active member of the
Republican Party. He served the community of
Laguna Woods for ten years as a Security Officer
and Vice President of the Republican Club beside
his dearest friend, Shirley Morgan , President. He
also was the Web Master for the Rush Limbaugh
club. Larry was appointed to the Veterans Advisory
Council and worked with Chris Cox and John
Campbell. He was recognized as Veteran of the
Year in 2008 by Mimi Walters.
LTCOL Collins was a Christian man of great
integrity, honor and true grit. He identified so
well with his hero Don Quixote_
"To dream the imposssible dream ... To fight the
unbeatable foe ... To bear with unbearable
sorrow_To run where the brave dare not go ... To
right the unrightablee wrong ...To love pure and
chaste from afar _ To try when your armss are too
weary ...To reach ... the unreachable star"
LTCOL Larry M. Collins will be greatly missed by
his family, friends and community.
He is survived by his four daughters, Kim Collins,
Kelly Brannon, Krista Hodgman and Kathy Taylor
and their husbands, Jim, Scott and Tom, Grand
sons: Kirk, Caleb, Zachary, Breyden, Cortland,
Jacob, Kyle and Henry. Grand daughters: Karlee,
Shawnie and Julia and former wife Judith.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday,
February 23rd at 11:00 am at Calvary Chapel
Mission Viejo; 24821 Chrisanta Drive. Mission
Viejo, CA 92691 Semper Fidelis
Published in Orange County Register on February
17, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 11/02/2023
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