CLARENCE COLLINS, JR.

They called him Cow Dog

Clarence Collins, Jr. was born August 20,1958 in Hammond, IN to Clarence, Sr. and Iola Collins. He peacefully passed away on September 6, 2020. Family and friends called him Jr and he was a professed believer in Christ. As a teenager, Clarence Jr worked after school at the family business – Collins Variety Store at 1010 Conkey Street. He attended Hammond High School and graduated in 1976; from there he went on to study Mass Communications and Radio Broadcasting at Vincennes University in Vincennes, IN. From Vincennes, Clarence Jr. ventured back north and studied communications at Midwestern Broadcasting College in Chicago and received a Certificate in Communications. Always the life of the party, it was in college where he became a professional entertainer.  Jr spent his spare time performing as a Disc Jockey and hosting parties – most nobly at the Hammond Community Center.  He also hosted Hammond and Gary local community radio commentary broadcasts - you name it, he did it. Encouraged by his two cousins, Dyke and Raymond, Clarence Jr took on the name of “Cow Dog”.  Jr was employed by Inland Steel at the East Chicago Harbor Works in his early 20’s – working closely with his father Clarence Sr.

Clarence Jr always had a positive outlook on life, and he loved sharing his infectious smile with everyone he encountered. When he was in the room, laughter was in the air. In his late 20’s, Clarence Jr took on his “Gorilla Persona”. He threw parties wearing a full Gorilla suit personifying with the most boisterous gorilla roaring and growling, with an occasional chest pound – delighting crowds of party goers.  Yes, Jr lived life to the fullest. Then in his early thirties he packed up his car and drove to Houston, TX where he resided and pursued his dreams until he was called home to be with the Lord.

Jr loved Houston and Houston loved Jr. He used his talent for entertaining and his very personable vibe to begin a career as a Salesman, specifically cars—quality, high-end cars. A Cadillac man himself, Jr could sell any car to anybody.

He is survived by 5 sisters: Gwen of Atlanta, GA, Lynda Paul (Cliffton, Sr.) of San Antonio, TX, LaTonyé Collins-Jones (Jamanil) of Houston, TX, LaTarché of Seattle, WA, and LaTisha of Hammond, IN; and 2 brothers: Cedric (LQ) of Merrillville, IN, and Jeffrey of Hammond, IN. He was lovingly called Uncle Jr by a host of nieces and nephews: Merisa, Cliff Jr., Brandon, Darius, Akiera, Nathaniel, Desmond, A’nasani, and Jamanil Jr. He was a friend to his cousins who he grew up with in Hammond: Jennifer, Raymond, Mildred, Stephanie, Jackie, Kim, and Don Jr. (R.I.H.), Bernice, Frances and Greg. He will be remembered by his special Aunt Hester of Atlanta, GA.

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