Louis Collins Sr.

Louis T. Collins Sr. NORFOLK - Louis T. "Rip" Collins Sr. passed away June 1, 2010 at Sentara Leigh Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of William McKinley Collins and Edith Virginia Collins. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty M. Collins; daughters, Pat Jump, Andrea Collins, Deborah Collins, Betty Stevenson and husband Richard; sons, Louis Collins Jr. and fiancée Vanessa McRoy, Bill Collins and wife Madeline; grandchildren, Allison Jump, Christopher Jump, Raymon Jump, Jennifer Myers, Elizabeth Stevenson and fiancé Joel Hills, Melissa Stevenson, Patrick Stevenson, Regina Hemsath, Raven Jennings, Charles Collins, Jack Collins, Andrew Collins; and great-grandchildren CJ and Tyler Jump. He is also survived by his sisters, Grace Lester, Katie Jo Gardner, Ann Mann; and his brothers, Clarence "Skippy" Collins and the Rev. Patrick Collins. Lou joined the Army at 17 and served in the 101st Airborne Division. During World War II, he jumped in Normandy on D-Day and later in Holland, and took part in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. A retired local businessman, Lou owned and operated family tree service companies for 40 years, most recently Bowman Hallmark Guardian Tree Service. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. June 19, at Wesley Memorial Church, 288 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk. Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.cremate.org.