Mr. George Edward “Ed” Collins Jr., 80, of Yulee, passed away Thursday morning, April 20, 2017, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.
Born in Fort White, Fla., he was the eldest of three children born to the late George Edward and Winnie Moreland Collins Sr. He grew up in Fort White, where he was a graduate of Fort White High School, Class of 1954. After high school, he studied for two years at the University of Florida.
In 1959, Mr. Collins met Mary Ann Panke of Fernandina Beach, who would become his wife in 1960. Mr. Collins accepted a position with the Florida Park Service as a park ranger at Oleno State Park. Within a few years, the needs of a young family would require a move to Jacksonville, as Mr. Collins accepted a position as a chemical operator with Glidco Chemical, which was located in the Brentwood and Norwood sections of North Jacksonville. He remained with Glidco until retiring in 2000. While working and raising their children; Mr. and Mrs. Collins remained involved with their love, the Florida Park Service. They were avid campers and recreational vehicle enthusiasts in addition to his work as park ranger, assistant superintendent and superintendent at Oleno, Fort Clinch, Suwannee River and Gold Head state parks. The Collins family moved to Yulee in 1973. After retiring, he and his wife joined the Army Corps of Engineers and traveled and lived in their motor home at various locations in Florida, Georgia and Alabama before being invited to Forest Service land “between the lakes” on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, where they remained for eight years.
As a University of Florida alumnus, he remained true to the Florida Gators athletic programs. Mr. Collins became a Master Mason at Cherry Hill Lodge No. 25, Fort White; was a member of Amelia Lodge No. 47, F&AM, Fernandina Beach; the Scottish Rite Bodies; the Morocco Shrine Temple, Jacksonville; the Fernandina Beach Shrine Club; and one of the original members of the Fernandina Beach Rough Riders. For many years, he and his wife and several other couples provided transportation to Tampa for the Fernandina Beach Rainbow Girls to the annual Grand Assembly. He and his wife were members of Yulee United Methodist Church, where they were volunteers in the Food Pantry.
Mr. Collins enjoyed woodworking and being around, involved with and helping other people. He was happiest when he was engaged in simple conversation with a fellow camper, diagnosing a cantankerous generator problem on a fellow camper’s RV, bringing a smile to the face of a child through his antics as a Rough Rider or observing the emotional relief of someone being helped through his church’s outreach ministry.
Mr. Collins leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Panke Collins of Yulee; their two children, Michele Collins Haga of Yulee, and Michael Edward Collins and his wife, Susan, of Littleton, N.H.; a sister, Annie Laura Porter, and a brother, Steven Collins, both of Fort White; grandchildren, Sean and Caleb Taylor, and Trevor and Madison Collins; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, April 26, at Yulee United Methodist Church, with Pastor Charlie Sward and the Rev. John Gallman officiating.
Masonic honors were accorded by Amelia Lodge No. 47 of Fernandina Beach.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were his fellow Masons, members of the Fernandina Beach Shrine Club, the Fernandina Beach Rough Riders, the Yulee Stitching Sisters and volunteers of the Yulee United Methodist Food Pantry.
His family received friends following the service at a reception in the church fellowship hall.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Yulee United Methodist Food Pantry, P.O. Box 127, Yulee, FL 32041.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors