Calif.
Jerry G. Collins entered this earth the first son of three to Harry and Lorene Collins in Decatur County. He attended K-12 in Creston and then two years at Northwestern Missouri State College before moving out west to start a new chapter in life.
After working in Los Angeles for the railroad company as a surveyor, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Ft. Hood, Texas.
In 1966, he came back to California to finish college at Long Beach State on his G.I. Bill and receive his bachelor’s degree in engineering.
He married his first and only wife Elizabeth Portillo who had a daughter, Kim. After a few years with the new family he had two sons, Dean and Jeremy, who were both born at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Soon after that they all packed up and moved east to Riverside where he found a “mecca” of a building.
He ended up working his dream job for over 40 years in the building industry and then ended up retiring with Griffin Communities. Over the years he enjoyed hiking, cooking, fishing, bowling, fine wines, shopping, art, watching live sports, camping and golfing with his sons. He also enjoyed watching his two sons grow up and start their own lives and families.
As a dad and grandpa, he was generous to his sons and daughters-in-law, but really spoiled his five grandchildren.
During retirement, he was always interested in knowing how his grandkids were doing in school and sports, and in general. He enjoyed doing projects around the house and hanging out with his little buddy, Newton. He loved his dog’s companionship and dogs always had a special place in his heart, especially Newton.
Jerry was able to spend the rest of his journey here on earth in his custom-built home that he designed and built in Riverside in 1989. Before he took his last breath, his family was able to be by his side holding his hand, just as he did for them.
Jerry is survived by his two brothers, Danny Collins (Sally) and Ted Collins (Betty) and their children; his two sons, Dean (Terri) Collins and Jeremy (Heather) Collins; grandkids: Landon, Gavin, Macey, Derek, Benjamin and Ryan.
“You will be missed, Pops, but never forgotten. Fly high, enjoy your journey and go get that hole in one. We got it from here. Rest in peace Pops we love you.”