James F. "Jim" Collins

James "Jim" F. Collins, 83, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2024 after succumbing to injuries he suffered in a car accident in April of this year. Jim wore many hats, both figuratively and literally. He touched the lives of so many people and always had a genuine smile at the ready. He was a kind, compassionate, intelligent person who always made time for others.
Jim was born November 11, 1940 in the small town of Chatsworth, Illinois. He loved sharing stories of his childhood and would often offer to entertain people with "stories of Chatsworth." He attended the University of Illinois for his undergraduate and graduate studies, earning his PhD in Psychology there before joining the faculty at UMKC. He served as the Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of Missouri Kansas City for many years and later added Chair of the Social Work Department before his retirement in 2003. He served as a mentor for countless graduate students and on multiple theses and doctorate committees during his tenure at UMKC.
Jim loved staying in touch with people from all periods of his life and continued to attend his high school reunion as often as was able. Jim was heavily involved in Habitat for Humanity for many years and helped build many homes for underprivileged families. He loved this work and loved being able to give back to the community in this way. Jim was also very involved in AA, an organization that he held in the highest regard. He took his work as a sponsor and support very seriously and continued to attend meetings weekly throughout his life.
Jim loved spending time with his grandchildren and ultimately moved to Indiana to be closer to them. He loved going to their sporting events and school activities, and was one of their biggest cheerleaders (and loved getting snacks from the concession stand!). He loved watching the Chiefs play and loved getting together on Sundays to watch games.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Kay; his daughter, Michele; his four grandchildren: PJ, Ame, Ryland, and Harper; his sister Mary; Joe Busch; his brother Joe; Lisa Collins; his brothers and sisters- in-law Tom and Nancy Murphy, Jack Murphy and KT Mroz, and Connie Collins; and his nieces and nephews Scott, Emily, and Andy Collins, Robert and Joseph Busch, Zachary and Hannah Collins, Sarah and Allison Murphy, Robert and Megan Murphy, Rachel Zamaitis, Timothy and Sarah Franco, and Caroline and Ella Murphy along with many grandnieces and grandnephews. He is preceded in death by his parents A. Ward Collins and Doris Collins, his brother John F. Collins, and his nephew Richard W. Busch.
Whether you knew him as Dr. Collins, Goo, Dad, Jim, or James, he no doubt positively impacted your life in some way. To know Goo, was to love him and he always greeted you with a genuine smile and kind word. He "always had an answer for everything" and was more than willing to share a story or meal with anyone he met. He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, sponsor, professor, and human being. He will be sorely missed and his legacy will live on in his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on July 21st from 4-7 pm at the Kimblewick Clubhouse at 2630 Lord Murphy Drive, Westfield, IN 46074. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity, 322 West Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709-3543, https://www.habitat.org/ or Alcoholics Anonymous, General Service Office of AA, P.O. Box 2407, James A. Farley Station, New York, NY 10116-2407 or https://contribution.aa.org/.