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BORN
1937
DIED
2021
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Thomas Collins Obituary
Springfield - Dr. Thomas Anthony Collins, Sr., husband and father of six children, passed away on January 4th at the age of 83. Tom was born on May 25th, 1937, in Oak Park, Illinois.
Dr. Collins received his advanced degrees from Loyola Dental School and Stritch School of Medicine. In 1967, he completed his Oral and Maxillofacial surgery internship and residency at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas. He then joined private practice Dr. Rex Witherspoon and Dr. Jim Brown here in Springfield. Dr. Collins brought orthognathic jaw and facial bone surgery to the area and over time developed and authored advanced dental implant and bone grafting techniques now widely used in the field of oral surgery.
He was an avid outdoorsman with love for adventure and being outside with nature. He was a skilled hunter and well known for his nature-based artwork. He was a wonderful teacher and well known for his generosity and compassion that touched many lives.
Dr. Collins was married to his wife, Barbara, for 57 years and is survived by his six children, Dr. Thomas A Collins, Jr., Kelly Pankowski, Dr. Patrick Collins, Jennifer King, Julie Davenport and Bart Collins as well as 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home East (3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO) on Saturday, January 9th, from 11:30-12:30 followed by a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the not-for-profit Maple Park Cemetery (300 West Grand Street, Springfield, Missouri, 417-869-0217, or online at mapleparkcemetery.org) in memory of Dr. Thomas Anthony Collins, Sr.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Collins
Sponsored by Greenlawn Funeral Home East.
3 Entries
Jeanne Kraus Just
March 10, 2021
Tom was a very vivacious student at Loyola Dental school in Chicago when I worked there. As I remember he organized a choral group and they recorded the music, an unusual sideline for a dental student. I still have the record. I worked in Dr. Hanko's (Bursar) office in the basement, I was not a student, but over time everyone knew everyone, and I can't forget Tom or his brothers Jack or Charles. My sincere condolences to the family, I am very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Kent Phillips
January 9, 2021
Tom was a great, wise man with a big heart. I miss our conversations
Jack and Cathy Collins Hubeny
January 8, 2021
Dear Collins Family, so shocked and saddened to hear about the death of my beloved older brother Tom. Even though I was little when he went away to school, he was an exciting, mischievous and fun brother during his teen and young adult years. My parents were very proud of him. A few memories....going to visit him with our family at St. Joseph Seminary where he went for 4 years, the time he came home with a deer draped over his volkswagon beetle, and him dressing it in the back yard in Maywoid, The cat cadaver on the basement sink when he was taking anatomy. Going to see him direct the Loyola Dental School Barbershop Choir. And him tying knots in my hair!
Even though we were distant he was always in my heart.
Sincere sympathies to all of you on the losses of both your Mom and Dad. They were very kind and hospitable to us on a visit we made in 1982. And it was wonderful seeing all of you when you came to Grandma Collins’ 90th birthday.
God bless you, your, children and grandchildren. Keeping your parents and all of you in our prayers.
Love Aunt Cathy (Collins) Hubeny and Uncle Jack Hubeny.
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