Gary Dewayne Collins (March 4, 1954-January 18, 2024)

Just like it says in his beloved Johnny Rivers' "Seventh Son," there was only one Gary Collins. He came from a long line of storytellers and, boy, could he tell a story. To everyone he met, wherever he went, he could tell a story. Despite his gruff façade, he loved making people laugh. He could fix just about anything and somehow, before Google and Siri, he knew something about almost everything, especially animals. He felt things deeply and wouldn't make you guess where he stood on issues. Gary loved fishing and hunting and could keep everyone entertained even if the fish weren't biting and the deer weren't moving. Gary loved to gamble and take casino trips with his wife, Linda. His motto was, "It doesn't cost anymore to go first class than it does second—you just can't stay as long."

Gary was born in San Antonio, Texas to Joseph and Mary Collins and came into the world at a whopping 14 pounds (and that isn't a fishing story.) As an adult, Gary never wanted his hair cut above his ears, because as a child his parents always made sure that he had a fresh buzz cut.

Gary met his "Babe", Linda, through her uncle when they were both young. Gary, who always tried to portray the image of a "tough guy," took one look at the "good girl" Linda and asked, "Who is that?" It wasn't long before Gary was pulling up to Linda's high school in his truck wearing his 501 jeans, hat, and built-up Stacy Adams shoes. They married and celebrated their 50th anniversary on August 15, 2023. He enjoyed keeping the plants alive around their house and always made sure to bring Linda a special red rose from the bush that grew by their front porch.

They had two children, Tina (Dumplin') and Gary (Goo). After moving to LaParita, Tina decided that she wanted to join the hunting crew. Fortunately, Tina was a crack shot. Unfortunately, she could only close her right eye which made looking down the scope tricky. Ever the problem solver, Gary crafted a solution and looking slightly like a pirate with a patch over her left eye, Tina joined him for an early morning hunt. But those early morning hunts are, in fact, pretty early and by the time it was daybreak and the deer started to move, Tina decided she was a little hungry. Always one to find a solution like her dad and a planner like her mom, Tina was prepared…with a nice bag of Lays potato chips. Needless to say, the deer heeded the crunchy warning and lived to see another day. Goo recalls a four-day fishing trip with the boys where they ate all of the food within the first two days.  The boys became fierce hunters and caught a fish that they roasted over the fire and even began eyeing the bullfrogs. On the third day, Gary pretended to roast and eat a bait shrimp. The boys scrambled and gobbled up the rest of the shrimp and spent the rest of the night with the runs.

Throughout their lives, Gary and Linda became parent figures to many. One of their "adopted" sons, Richard Mascorro remembers the times fishing and Gary's teasing. During one fishing trip, Richard was sent out took look for firewood in the dark armed with a flashlight. Gary made a noise and Richard broke and ran with his flashlight like a sprinter's baton.

Though Gary loved many things in his life, by far his greatest love was his grandchildren. His favorite cup says, "I've been called many names in my life, but my favorite is Pawpaw," a special name given to him by his grandson Garrison. Getting a picture of Gary was a challenge. Getting a picture of him smiling was almost impossible, unless he was captured looking at his grandbabies. They were the light of his life and everywhere he went they became the stars of his stories. A special memory for Gary was helping his children and grandchildren catch their first fish. Even though his health was declining, he was determined to be able to do the same for his youngest grandchildren, Canyon and Alina, and this July, the family took a trip to Port Aransas, and Pawpaw was there when Canyon and Alina reeled in their first fish. Nothing and no one dissolved Gary's tough exterior and went straight to his tender heart like Pawpaw's grandbabies. Garrison remembers a time that he went hunting with Pawpaw and shot a hog almost immediately. Pawpaw got so mad at Goo because he called and called, and Goo didn't answer his phone and Garrison and Pawpaw were being attacked by a bunch of wild gnats. Goo claimed that there was no cell service, but Pawpaw doubted his story until the end.

Gary also had a tender spot for animals. Throughout his life, he had a pet monkey, and there is even a story about an octopus he and his siblings kept raiding his mom's groceries to feed. However, his beloved Wrangler the D-O-G (we don't say the word) he hands fed as a puppy and fed oatmeal cakes ever after was extra special to him. Wrangler, or Babycakes, came into his life soon after Gary injured his back, and their special bond helped heal and sustain both of them for many years. Just like Gary, Wrangler did not like having his picture taken, and until this day, one of the two photos of Wrangler sits on Gary's dresser in a place of honor. When Wrangler became older and was suffering and in pain, he wouldn't let go until Gary held him and told him that it was OK for Wrangler to move on, and that Gary would be OK.

Through his pain and suffering, just like his beloved Wrangler, Gary kept hanging on for those he loved. Finally, we had to decide to tell him that it was OK for him to leave the pain and suffering behind, and on January 18, 2024, Gary left his broken body behind while being held in the arms of his son, Goo.  Although we are hurting and still not OK, we know that we will be. We have each other and our precious memories of a one-of-a-kind man whose love for us is big enough to fill the gaping hole missing him has left in our lives.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Collins and his brother, Danny Joe.

Gary is survived by his wife, Linda Collins of Jourdanton; his son, Gary Collins and wife Jamalyn of Poteet, his daughter, Tina Diamond and husband Chris of San Antonio, and son Richard Mascorro of Jourdanton; grandchildren Garrison and Canyon Collins, Kristen Millican (and family), Courtney Edgar (and family), Alina, Jade (and family), and Sean Diamond, and Cassidy, Candice, and Carlee Mascorro; and his sisters Elizabeth Johnson and husband Johnny of Pleasanton, and Scheran Everett and husband Kenny of Jourdanton, brothers-in-law Perry Nelms and wife Sandy and Calvin Nelms and wife Tracy. Gary is also survived by many nephews and nieces and great-nephews and nieces.

A graveside service will be held at Jourdanton City Cemetery on January 26th at 11 a.m. with an opportunity to share a meal and swap stories to follow at the home of Gary and Jamalyn Collins, 1650 Amphion Road, Poteet, TX 78065.

Gary was a lifelong supporter of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation there in Gary's honor.