Don Wayne Collings

1935 - 2006

Don Wayne Collings, 71, a former steel fabrication business owner, passed away Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, in Bedford, following heart surgery.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel with Pastor Travis Hutchinson officiating. Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.

Memorials: Please consider memorial contributions to American Heart Association, Box 15186, Austin, Texas 78761.

Don was born in Cleburne in 1935, and lived in the Fort Worth and Mid-Cities area throughout his life. After graduating from Northside High School, he attended the University of North Texas, where he met his wife, Wanda. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April 2006.

Family was the most important aspect of Don's life. He reared two sons and was very involved in the lives of his five grandchildren.

Don worked briefly in tool design at General Dynamics, followed by a lengthy period of employment at Thornton Industries, where he began in the drafting department and later became vice-president of sales. In 1977, he founded and became president of Collings Industries, a steel fabrication business located in Fort Worth. Don retired four years ago after 25 successful years as a business owner.

Survivors: His wife, Wanda; sons, Don Wayne Collings II and wife, Barbara, and Daryl Craig Collings and wife, Vicky; grandchildren, Buster Collings, Shaun Collings, Austin Collings, Christine Collings and Craig Collings; one brother; and one sister.