Cleo Collins

Cleo Harold "Ted" Collins, 91 year old, lifetime area resident, passed away Tuesday, Decmeber 21, 2010, at his "home away from home" for the past 6 ½ years, the Claremore Veterans Center in Claremore, Oklahoma. Ted was born on April 20, 1919 in Craig County (Banzet), Oklahoma, to George Dewey and Emma Augusta (Bradbury) Collins. He was married to Dorothy Mae Cook Collins by Judge Morrison at the Craig County, (Vinita) Courthouse. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in December 2003, before her death in March of 2004. Ted was a longtime member of the Trinity Baptist Church, serving as Chairman of the Building Committee for the existing Church and served in many capacities within the Church. He and Dorothy were baptized Easter Sunday, April 19, 1950. Ted was ordained Deacon on Sunday, September 8, 1963. He was very involved with the "Chapel" activities at the Veterans Center, starting and teaching a weekly Bible Class. His favorite bible verse was John 3:16 and "The Bible"! He was employed with Flintco Construction Company in Tulsa for 21 years, retiring in May 1981. He served as Carpenter Foreman, then Construction Superintendent on several prominent buildings in Tulsa. He had amazing ability to always see the big picture, but he never forgot the details! The O. D. Fritz Construction Company of Vinita employed him for several years in this area. He was Construction Superintendent on the Vinita High School Building (now the Ewing Halsell Middle School). In the 1930's he was part of the construction crew that built the "Longest Multi Arch Dam in the World", which stretches from Disney to Langley on "Grand Lake of the Cherokees". As a young man he worked to support his mother and siblings in the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC), working in the Nowata and Spavinaw areas. Ted served his country in the Army during World War II for over 25 months, 11 of which were spent overseas. His duty overseas serving with the 78th Engineer Combat Battalion took him to the Philipine jungles, then Yokohama, and Tokyo, Japan. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philipine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, and he received an Honorable Discharge on May 5, 1946. He was in the inactive Army Reserves until 1950. His country called him to active duty again in the Korean Conflict, serving from 1950 to 1951 at Ft. Hood, Texas. Ted loved the outdoors; he was an accomplished hunter, and a master fisherman, receiving several awards and trophies for his talents. His hobbies were reading Louis L'Amour novels and working puzzles. He was very proud of his Cherokee Heritage! He leaves behind his son and daughter in-law, Harold and Pat Collins, Vinita, grandson and granddaughter in-law, Harold II and Donna Collins, granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Kaye Lynn and Monty Montgomery, four great-grandchildren, Andrea Kaye and Hunter Dean Collins, Alec Gordon and Taylor Nicole Montgomery, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by four brothers, Don, Joe and his wife Lee, George and Truman. Three sisters, Wauneta, Glenda, and Belva and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, five sisters, Lucille, Helen, Judy, and Betty. Also, a sister-in-law, Faye Collins. Visitation and viewing will be held Monday, December 27, 2010, from noon until 2:00 p.m., in Trinity Baptist Church, Vinita. The memorial service will follow with Pastor Will Busch officiating. Committal Prayer and Interment will be in the McLaughlin Cemetery, East of Cleora, Oklahoma, following the Memorial Service, where the Ft. Sill Military Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. Casket Bearers will be, Eugene Jinks, Gary Newman, Mike O'Neal, Frank Everett, and Jay Hensley. Honorary bearers will be Ted's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Memorials may be made in Ted's memory to the Trinity Baptist Church, 335 N Smith, Vinita, OK 74301. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff, volunteers and special friends of the Claremore Verterans Center, for their time, energy, and the great care given on Ted's behalf.

Visitation Details

Monday, December 27th, 2010 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Service Details

Monday, December 27th, 2010 2:00pm, Trinity Baptist Church of Vinita

Interment Details

McLaughlin Cemetery