Roy C Collins

Roy C. Collins, 89, passed away in the early morning on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. He was one of the Greatest Generation. He was an outstanding athlete, WWII Navy Veteran, devoted husband and incredible father. He was born in Haynesville, LA to Lura Knighten Collins and Thomas Jefferson Collins in 1924. He grew up in Haynesville and graduated from Haynesville High School, where he played football and was team captain. In 1942 he received a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech. After his freshman year, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in combat in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. After the war he returned to Tech and earned his Bachelors Degree in education. He played football for Tech for the remainder of his college year. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Roy started his professional career as a coach and teacher at Lake Charles High School in the early 1950s. He was on the coaching staff when the LCHS Wildcats won the state football championship in 1958. He also earned his Masters Degree from LSU at this time. In 1964 he joined State Farm Insurance as an agent and remained with the company until September 2013. He served on the Calcasieu Parish School Board and was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Lake Charles. He also managed the Thomas-Williams Estate family farm. Roy was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Grandstanding Quarterbacks, a close-knit group of Louisiana Tech football alumni and their spouses and families who gather annually to enjoy good company, good food, play golf, tell stories and continue a tradition of camaraderie and friendship that continues to this day. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Tommy Loy Thomas Collins; his four children, Mark Collins of Atlanta, GA, Chris Collins of Lake Charles, Julie Collins of Baton Rouge, LA and Scott Collins of Houston, TX; and his grandson, Branden Ardoin of Lacassine, LA A Memorial Mass will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church for all who wish to pay their respects and honor his life. A reception at the Lake Charles Country Club will follow immediately after the service.