Donald (Jr) Collins

Donald (Jr) Collins, 79, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 10:45 p.m., Friday, September 5, 2025, at NHC HealthCare.

He was born November 23, 1945, at Siloam Springs, Missouri, to Sid Effner Collins and Vivian May Collins.  On March 31, 1970, he was married at West Plains, to Helena Bauer; they celebrated 55 years of marriage.  Mr. Collins enjoyed watching westerns, camping, deer hunting, and loved stock car races.  In the early 1970’s he built a stock car number 35.  He worked at Cloud Oak Flooring, owned a sawmill at AP and 14 Highway, Marathon Electric (also known as Regal Beloit) and retired after thirty plus years.  After his retirement, he enjoyed raising dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Helena Collins; two children, Sheila Thompson and husband, Terry, West Plains, Missouri and Jeremy Collins, Strafford, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Justin Collins, Jennifer Collins, Morgan Welch, Jessica Akpotozor, Matthew McCauley, Ashley Dunn and Jaycob Collins; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, one son, Donald Collins, one great-grandchild, Jocelyn Marie Vaughn, three brothers, Ricky, Sammy and Wendell, preceded him in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.