Dr. Benjamin Jack Collinsworth

Dr. Benjamin Jack Collinsworth (Dr. Jack), age 94, died on September 30, 2025.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 4, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Ruston, LA. Interment will follow at Campground Cemetery in Bienville, LA, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM till 2:00 PM at First Baptist Ruston.
Dr. Jack Collinsworth was preceded in death by his parents Stephen B. Collinsworth and Alma Hines Collinsworth; wife, Eva Shehee (Muffet) Collinsworth; son, Steve Collinsworth; brothers, Clark Collinsworth and Bill Collinsworth; and sister, Margaret Collinsworth Ussery.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Roxie Barfield Collinsworth; daughters, Rebecca Kim Collinsworth Diebold and husband Steve, Leslie Sundy Collinsworth Ramsey; sons Keith Collinsworth and wife Pam, Fen Collinsworth and Sherri; stepson Jeff McIntosh and wife Annette; stepdaughter Jennifer Evangelista and husband Louis. Dr Jack also had 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren
Dr. Jack graduated from Bryceland High School in 1947. He played basketball, ran track, and was on the boxing team. As a member of the 4-H Club he showed his beef animals at state fairs in Shreveport and Baton Rouge and was also an Eagle Scout. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved spending time in the woods and on the water. His swimming ability enabled him to rescue a boy during a scout jamboree as a youth; he also rescued three men from the waters of Lake D'Arbonne as an adult.
Dr Jack graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (La Tech University) in 1950. At Tech he played on the freshman basketball team. Afterward, Coach Jimmy Mize asked him to join the track team and run the two-mile race. He was initiated in the Tech Letterman club in 1949 and was a member of the Pau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
After graduating from La Tech in 1950, Dr. Jack taught at Ringgold High School for one year. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps School in Quantico Virginia and served in operations under Colonel Nagree until the end of the Korean Conflict. After his Marine services, he became basketball and track coach and taught math until he became Principal of Bienville High School.
Dr Jack received a call from his master's degree advisor at the University of Arkansas offering him a fellowship to complete his Doctorate. After the completion of his graduate studies, he taught for two years at Sam Houston State University. He then received a call from Dr. F.J. Taylor, the newly named President at LA Tech University. Dr. Jack served twenty years at La Tech as teacher, director of graduate studies in education, and seven years as Dean of the College of Education. He served seventeen years on the Athletic Counsel Committee.
When Dr. Jack retired in 1982, he was honored with the "Dean and Professor EMERTUS". Until he retired, he was a member of the Rotary Club and served as President in 1966 -1967. After his retirement, he tended to his cattle, hay fields, and tree farms in Bienville and Lincoln Parish. As a hobby, he was a Beekeeper. He often said that anyone who studied bee's behavior should conclude that their creator was "Out of This World". Dr. Jack and his wife Roxie opened the Twisted Branch Antique Shop in 1992. He enjoyed refurbishing American, English, and French furniture. One of his passions was collecting Roseville Pottery. He enjoyed every job he ever had, but he said teaching math was his favorite.
Dr. Jack loved the Lord and the First Baptist Church of Ruston where he served as Deacon for many years. He loved Ruston and all its rolling hills, but as he always said, "My Pride and joy is my wonderful family".
The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful care received from St. Francis and LA Hospice and Palliative Care.
Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Ruston, LA.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.