Christopher Michael Collins

1978 - 2012

Christopher Michael Collins passed away unexpectedly in his sleep early Saturday morning, Feb. 11, 2012, and his loving family and a multitude of close friends are left with many warm memories and grateful hearts for having had him in their lives. Service: An open house will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at his parents' home in Bedford. Chris donated his body for medical research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to SafeHaven of Tarrant County or any other humanitarian aid organization. Born at Harris Hospital in Fort Worth to Bob and Michelle Collins on March 17, 1978, Chris always maintained that he wasn't required to wear green on St. Patrick's Day, because he had a birthday exemption. Chris was one of a kind. His brawny, tough-as-nails exterior served him well as a personal fitness trainer and a mixed martial arts instructor, coach and fighter, but in spite of his best efforts to suppress his sweet, gentle spirit, it occasionally escaped to the surface. He liked nothing better than to twist ankles until his opponents tapped out, but he also enjoyed writing poetry and listening to the music of Ani DiFranco, Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan. And nobody loved his family more than Chris. Known affectionately as Uncle Bubba to his four nephews and four nieces, he got a kick out of holding them as newborns, and he enjoyed being around them as they grew and developed their personalities. He also loved being with his pets, which always included at least two dogs and occasionally snakes or other reptiles. As a fourth-grader, he named his first snake Mr. Corbin in honor of his favorite teacher. At the time of his death, Chris shared an apartment with his two beloved dogs, Nadia and Tatiana, and a Savannah Monitor known as Mister Lizard. Not many of us have as much passion for our professions as Chris had for coaching and participating in mixed martial arts. Beginning in United Goju-Ryu Karate at Jay Trombley's Karate Academy in Hurst as a fifth-grader in 1988, he demonstrated unusual discipline and rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest junior black belt in the system and eventually achieving his third-degree black belt. Later, he got involved in mixed martial arts while working out at Mohler's Jiu-Jitsu in Coppell. After earning his certification as a personal fitness trainer from Cooper Aerobics Institute in Dallas in January 2006, Chris joined the staff at 24-Hour Fitness. A short time later, he opened Collins Martial Arts in Bedford, where he also provided personal fitness training. In January 2009, he moved his school to Hurst, occupying the same location where he had been mentored by Shodai Trombley, whom he greatly admired and respected. Perhaps because he had three younger sisters and a mother he adored, Chris was always eager to teach self-defense to females of all ages. He frequently donated his time to teach those classes, with the proceeds typically going to SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a shelter for battered women. Chris was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Roy Liedtke and Chuck Collins, and his aunt, Leeann Liedtke. Survivors: In addition to his parents, Bob and Michelle Collins, he is survived by his sisters and their husbands, Lindsay Peterson (Kristian), Rachel Brown (Chris) and Lauren Murray (Joseph); nephews, Ryan Brown, Jacob Brown, Joshua Murray and Garrett Peterson; nieces, Shelby Brown, Ruby Peterson, Zoe Brown and Makenna Murray; grandmothers, Barbara Liedtke and Elsie Collins; great-great-aunt, Virginia Tea; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his students, many of whom were great friends, and a vast number of other close friends, Chris is also survived by Beverly McCown and Allison Williams, each of whom brought great joy to his life.