Claude G. Collins, Jr., 85, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City, surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was born in Kerens, Navarro County, Texas on March 04, 1930, the youngest of six children, to Claude G. Collins, Sr. and Fannie Ella Burns Collins.

Claude proudly served in the United States Marine Corp. He returned to Palacios and worked at Alcoa Aluminum Company in Point Comfort for 44 years until his retirement in 1994. Claude and Dorothy are members of the Church of God of Prophecy in Palacios.

Claude loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener. He loved to go fishing and spent many hours on the Tres Palacios River teaching his girls to swim and water ski in the boat he built, on skis he made. Claude also loved to play his guitar and sing. He always had a captive audience, playing music for his girls and the neighborhood kids, The Beecher Street gang. I can only imagine the audience he has now singing with the Angels in the House of the Lord. There was never a kinder more gentle man.

Claude leaves the love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Dorothy (Cooper) Collins and daughters, Sandra and husband Scott Haag, Laura and husband Joseph Aoughsten and Patty and husband Ronny Shafer. Seven granddaughters, Tanya and husband Isaac Almeida, Stephanie and husband Louis Bodie, Kathleen Haag, Sarah Haag, Chelsie and husband Brent Myklebust, Michelle and husband T.J. Bartlett and Taylor Aoughsten. Two great granddaughters Morgan Almeida and Brenna Bodie. Claude was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Docia Jane Collins, Mattie Boultinghouse, Wesley Collins, Emma Walker and Claudine Collins.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at the Palacios Funeral Home, 701 1st Street, in Palacios from 6:00-8:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the Palacios Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 2:00pm. Burial will follow immediately after the service at the Palacios Cemetery.