John Collins, Jr.

Obituary: John P. Collins, Jr. 86, of Rockwell went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at N.C. State Veteran's Home, Salisbury following a period of declining health. He was born January 4, 1931 in Rowan County, NC a son of the late John P. and Iva Lee Nichols Collins. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Faye Smith Collins in 1989 and his second wife, Irene S. Collins in 2007. Also preceded him in death was a grandson, Nicholas Morgan, and four sisters; Virginia Collins, Elsie C. Brinkley, Mary C. Shoemaker and Jewel Dean Collins. John was of the Christian Faith. He was a steel fabricator making and installing HVAC units until his retirement. He was a US Army Veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. John was a former member of American Legion Post 51 in Concord. John enjoyed hunting and fishing and always had a large garden as long as his health permitted. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. John Kahl. Interment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by the Cabarrus County Veteran's Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. Saturday prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the home of a daughter, Leann Buckwell of Concord. Family members left to cherish his memories are one son, John G. Collins of Rockwell, one daughter, LeaAnn C. (Randy) Buckwell of Concord, two step-daughters, Tammie Morgan (Ronnie) of Locust, NC and Amanda Rogers of Concord. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; Kristina Amerson, Nate Amerson, Jessica Little, Makala Rogers, Ben Rogers, Elijah Rogers and Ava Rogers and two great-grandchildren, Deegan Little and Kinley Little and a sister, Benita C. (Steve) Clayton of Winston-Salem. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517, or to Christ the King Christian Academy, P.O. Box 279, New London, NC 28127. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Collins.
Visitation: 12:00 Noon-2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Saturday November 25, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, North Carolina