Michael Collins

Larry Michael Collins was born in Dallas, on April 5, 1950, to Dorris Johnson Collins and Dell Larry Collins, Jr. He passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at his home in Richardson. He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Collins, step-father Richard Ruetten, grandparents Walter and Elsie Johnson, uncles Harold Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, and James Fudge. Michael's favorite childhood memories were of times spent at "Mama and Papa's" farm in Mildred, and of the mischief he got into with uncles Doug and Lawrence. He spoke fondly of the times he attended Mildred Elementary School. Michael served in Vietnam with the 101st Army Airborne in 1967 and 1968 and was honorably discharged in Feb 1970. He was proud to be a realtor at Re/Max Abrams in Dallas for 20 years, until his retirement in January of this year. Michael loved jokes, especially the really awful ones and he always enjoyed making people smile (which is what his family and friends will remember most about him). His infectious laugh and smile will be missed more than words can say. He counted many people among his friends, and some of them for more than 40 years; Michael never forgot a friend and never met a stranger. Michael was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and could recall stats (both recent and ancient) at the drop of a hat. He also loved cars (both old and new) and at the tender age of two could name every single car on the road. Two of his favorites were a 1967 GTO that he owned in the early '70's and a Porsche Boxster that he owned in the '80's. He loved music, especially The Beatles, and would play many of their songs on his guitar and sing along with anyone who wanted to join in. Most recently, he became a Grandfather and was unbelievably proud to be 'Papa' to his granddaughter Kerrigan. He is survived by his mother, Dorris Johnson Collins, daughter Andrea Collins Hanley and son Michael Cory Collins, granddaughter Kerrigan Hanley, sisters: Caren Wensel and Susan Collins (whom he called "Tiger"), brother Mark D. Collins, son-in-law Chad Hanley, his nieces (whom he loved to pieces) Nikki Wensel Rustad and Bridget Wensel Hernandez and their husbands Eric and Manuel, nephews Christian and Harrison Collins, uncles Reverend Don Johnson, Doug Johnson, and Jesse Robertson, aunts Bettye Fudge, Linda Robertson, Gay Johnson, and Sandra Johnson, great nephews Callan Rustad and Jack Hernandez, and many cousins. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 8th at 10AM - New Hope Funeral Home, Sunnyvale, TX. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 7th at the funeral home from 6PM-8PM. Burial will be at DFW National Cemetery.