Dana Keith Collins, who resided in Fort Smith, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Albert J. Collins and Nova Stroud. He was 72 years old.
Dana was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Gary Collins. He is survived by his loving spouse of nine years, Diane Collins; two sons, Keith Collins and spouse Barbara of New Braunfels, Texas, and Justin Collins and spouse Aimee of Springdale; one daughter, Cindy May and spouse John of College Station, Texas; three stepdaughters, Christi Martin, Misty Martin and Brandy Ellis, all of Mena; his twin sister, Nana Cotner and spouse Roger of Independence, Kan.; two brothers, Larry Collins and spouse Linda of Ramona, Okla., and Ronald Collins and spouse Shelly of Mena; and six grandchildren.
Dana graduated from Field Kindley High (1961) in Coffeyville, Kan., and Coffeyville Community College (1964). He retired as a car foreman from Union Pacific Railroad in 2003 after 37 years of service. In his younger years, he loved to drag race, water ski and play basketball and softball. Dana later enjoyed shuffle board and karaoke. He has always had a love for hot rods and got much joy from his 1985 Chevy pickup. Dana was happiest when he was helping take care of others. He never knew a stranger, and he loved having a good time. His favorite saying was, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, ‘WOOHOO, what a ride!” That is how Dana lived his life, to the fullest.
A celebration of life is being held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 208, 3321 S. 66th St., Fort Smith, on July 16 from 2-4 p.m.
SWTIMES RECORD July 9 2016
He was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Albert J. Collins and Nova Stroud. He was 72 years old.
Dana was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Gary Collins. He is survived by his loving spouse of nine years, Diane Collins; two sons, Keith Collins and spouse Barbara of New Braunfels, Texas, and Justin Collins and spouse Aimee of Springdale; one daughter, Cindy May and spouse John of College Station, Texas; three stepdaughters, Christi Martin, Misty Martin and Brandy Ellis, all of Mena; his twin sister, Nana Cotner and spouse Roger of Independence, Kan.; two brothers, Larry Collins and spouse Linda of Ramona, Okla., and Ronald Collins and spouse Shelly of Mena; and six grandchildren.
Dana graduated from Field Kindley High (1961) in Coffeyville, Kan., and Coffeyville Community College (1964). He retired as a car foreman from Union Pacific Railroad in 2003 after 37 years of service. In his younger years, he loved to drag race, water ski and play basketball and softball. Dana later enjoyed shuffle board and karaoke. He has always had a love for hot rods and got much joy from his 1985 Chevy pickup. Dana was happiest when he was helping take care of others. He never knew a stranger, and he loved having a good time. His favorite saying was, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, ‘WOOHOO, what a ride!” That is how Dana lived his life, to the fullest.
A celebration of life is being held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 208, 3321 S. 66th St., Fort Smith, on July 16 from 2-4 p.m.
SWTIMES RECORD July 9 2016
Dana Keith Collins, who resided in Fort Smith, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Albert J. Collins and Nova Stroud. He was 72 years old.
Dana was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Gary Collins. He is survived by his loving spouse of nine years, Diane Collins; two sons, Keith Collins and spouse Barbara of New Braunfels, Texas, and Justin Collins and spouse Aimee of Springdale; one daughter, Cindy May and spouse John of College Station, Texas; three stepdaughters, Christi Martin, Misty Martin and Brandy Ellis, all of Mena; his twin sister, Nana Cotner and spouse Roger of Independence, Kan.; two brothers, Larry Collins and spouse Linda of Ramona, Okla., and Ronald Collins and spouse Shelly of Mena; and six grandchildren.
Dana graduated from Field Kindley High (1961) in Coffeyville, Kan., and Coffeyville Community College (1964). He retired as a car foreman from Union Pacific Railroad in 2003 after 37 years of service. In his younger years, he loved to drag race, water ski and play basketball and softball. Dana later enjoyed shuffle board and karaoke. He has always had a love for hot rods and got much joy from his 1985 Chevy pickup. Dana was happiest when he was helping take care of others. He never knew a stranger, and he loved having a good time. His favorite saying was, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, ‘WOOHOO, what a ride!” That is how Dana lived his life, to the fullest.
A celebration of life is being held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 208, 3321 S. 66th St., Fort Smith, on July 16 from 2-4 p.m.
SWTIMES RECORD July 9 2016
He was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Albert J. Collins and Nova Stroud. He was 72 years old.
Dana was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Gary Collins. He is survived by his loving spouse of nine years, Diane Collins; two sons, Keith Collins and spouse Barbara of New Braunfels, Texas, and Justin Collins and spouse Aimee of Springdale; one daughter, Cindy May and spouse John of College Station, Texas; three stepdaughters, Christi Martin, Misty Martin and Brandy Ellis, all of Mena; his twin sister, Nana Cotner and spouse Roger of Independence, Kan.; two brothers, Larry Collins and spouse Linda of Ramona, Okla., and Ronald Collins and spouse Shelly of Mena; and six grandchildren.
Dana graduated from Field Kindley High (1961) in Coffeyville, Kan., and Coffeyville Community College (1964). He retired as a car foreman from Union Pacific Railroad in 2003 after 37 years of service. In his younger years, he loved to drag race, water ski and play basketball and softball. Dana later enjoyed shuffle board and karaoke. He has always had a love for hot rods and got much joy from his 1985 Chevy pickup. Dana was happiest when he was helping take care of others. He never knew a stranger, and he loved having a good time. His favorite saying was, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, ‘WOOHOO, what a ride!” That is how Dana lived his life, to the fullest.
A celebration of life is being held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 208, 3321 S. 66th St., Fort Smith, on July 16 from 2-4 p.m.
SWTIMES RECORD July 9 2016
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