Jon Jay Collins

1942 - 2024

Jon Jay Collins

July 11, 1942 - June 28, 2024

Mabank, Texas - Jon Jay Collins passed away suddenly on June 28, 2024. The son of Ellen and JW Collins was born in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1942, raised there and graduated in 1960 from the only high school at that time, Wichita Falls High. Jon attended Midwestern State and North Texas State University studying finance and later Southern Methodist University Banking School, which lead to a long career in the banking industry. His vocation took him from Denison, Texas to many parts of the Southwest before settling in Colleyville, Texas where he was President of the First National Bank of Grapevine for 13 years. Jon was also responsible for opening the first full-service bank at DFW Airport in 1974. His side hustle and hobby was his construction and property management services company that he dabbled in from 1984 to recent times.

Jon was married for 20 years to another Wichita Falls native, Karen George. They had three lovely daughters, all proud graduates of Grapevine High, who were the apple of his eye.

Raising his three daughters introduced him to a world of coaching softball, and he never missed an opportunity to cheer them on from the sidelines of numerous sports events over the years. He was also devoted to his community and served on the volunteer fire department, Chamber of Commerce and other service organizations.

Jon was an avid golfer and musician. When not on the course or strumming one of his many guitars, you could find him in his garage, either under the hood or restoring one of the many vehicles that he acquired. Ask any of his children and they will likely tell stories of having multiple 'clunkers' to drive.

Later in life he lived in the Cedar Creek area of east Texas, was an avid member and treasurer of the Tractor Club and enjoyed his weekly dominoes game with his fellow retirees. He spent a fair amount of his time posting corny pictures and bad 'Papa' jokes on Facebook but was most passionate about having texts, calls and Facetime with his daughters, his grandkids and his great grandkids. Our world will not be as full of fun or enjoyable without Papa (aka Papa Yeehaw).

Jon is survived by daughters Cristi Hurdle and Vernon, Jan Kelly and Blake Taylor, Laura Neminski and Perry, brother Don and wife Marietta, stepsons Kevin Haley and Jeanette and Justin Haley, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren with one more on the way.