Michael Wayne Collins

Michael Wayne Collins was born on June 18, 1948, in Kansas City, KS, the third child of Jesse Tolbert Collins, Sr., and Barbara Jean Jefferson Collins. He spent his early years on a farm owned by his father and uncle in the Mount Olive community of Simpson Township. There, he attended the East Lynne and Concordia schools until the family moved to a farm closer to Warrensburg. His remaining schooling was completed in the Warrensburg school system.
After graduating in 1966, he and his cousin Ralph Collins joined the National Geological Survey, working in the Eastern and Southern United States. It was after leaving their last job in Maine and being sent to Alliance, Ohio, that he would meet his future wife, Brenda Watson, of 57 years. The story goes that the car, a Dodge, that Mike and Ralph had been using broke down in the Alliance area. A local mechanic suggested they could get parts cheaper at a junkyard. As God allowed, the cousins met Brenda's brother, Herbie, who invited them to dinner at his uncle's house. This is where the story gets interesting, depending on who you believe. Brenda's version says he insulted her, so she punched him and Ralph in the stomach-"They deserved it." His version stated she just tagged him for no reason whatsoever. Nevertheless, it worked out, as they married on April 27, 1968, in Alliance.
While living and working in Alliance, he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in Vietnam. While in basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, their daughter Kelley was born. After basic, Michael was sent off to Vietnam, where he served at Long Binh and Cu Chi with the 25th Artillery Division, Battery D. Kevin, the eldest son, would be born in 1969 during his service in Vietnam. Michael was wounded during his tour, for which he received a Purple Heart as well as additional medals for his service. He returned to the United States in February of 1970, where two more children would be born to their union, Mark in 1970 and Keith in 1971. His children and grandchildren always enjoyed his stories about his service in Vietnam.
He held a few different jobs after his separation from the Army, one of which was a switch engineer for a brief time with Norfolk and Western Railroad in Ohio.
Sustainable farming and horticulture were really his life's work. He helped his father on the family farm from his youth, helping to raise cattle, hogs, chickens, goats, soybeans, corn, milo, hay, and maintain a garden. He loved flowers and gardening. For 30 years, he was employed by Central Missouri State University (UCM) as a groundsman. While working in the Grounds Department, Michael (Wally) met Larry Werneke. This would be the beginning of a 50-year friendship. He also took automotive mechanics and agricultural classes while working there.
Michael was a country boy at heart, never forgetting his roots and upbringing in rural America. After retirement, Michael continued raising livestock, crops, and gardening. He loved to share stories about his childhood and his family.
In addition to his interests in farming and horticulture, he loved music ("One of These Nights," The Canton Spirituals), art, design, poetry, history, and reading.
Recently, he joined the local VFW, where he got to share his war experience with other veterans.
Though Mike was brought up in a believing household, he did not always walk in that path. However, one Sunday morning service in 1985, Mike dedicated his life to serving God. For many years, he served as a deacon under his father's leadership at Jesus Saves Pentecostal Church of Warrensburg. He later would be ordained as an elder in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He finally accepted God's call to the teaching ministry and was a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher at Mount Calvary Pentecostal of Warrensburg. This, he felt, was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
He was preceded in death by his son Mark Collins; mother Barbara Collins; grandson Jordan Bryant; brother Jesse Collins, Jr.; father District Elder Jesse T. Collins; brother Morris Collins; and sisters Mary Roberson and Karen Levine.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Brenda Collins of Warrensburg; his daughter Kelley Collins Bryant of Hamlet, North Carolina; sons Kevin (Erica) Collins and Keith Collins, both of Warrensburg, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Teresa Bell and Karen Rice; brothers-in-law Walter Watson Jr. and Herbert Watson; and a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and church family.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg, MO. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. A graveside will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery in Warrensburg, MO.