Otha Edward Collins II

August 25, 1943 – July 5, 2024
Otha Edward Collins II, age 80, of Palatka, Florida, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024. 
Eddie was born August 25, 1943, to Otha Edward Collins Sr. and Rose Marie Smith in Shelby, North Carolina. Eddie graduated Shelby High School in 1961, graduated Gardner-Webb Junior College in 1963, and graduated Lime Stone College, Gaffney South Carolina. 
Eddie was drafted in 1965 at age 22 by the United States Army and served in Vietnam. Eddie was a proud veteran. His strongest and fondest memories were of the time spent in the service with his fellow comrades and could recall each name in his unit.  
Upon returning to the states, he became an executive and worked in the corporate office of Dover Textiles in Shelby North Carolina for 23 years. Eddie was Board of Director of the Boys Club in Shelby and was an avid cyclist. He also was a Vice President with Blumenthal Printworks, New Orleans LA, for a year and then moved to Palatka, Florida, and went in partnership with Bill Raymond to create Everyday Flowers for 5 years.  
He was extremely active in the Putnam community serving on the ZBOA Board for 15 years, Palatka Yacht Club Board and active Elk member. 
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Otha Edward Collins Sr. and Rose Marie Smith; and his former wife, Deborah Yates.
He is survived by wife. Kay Barker Collins; a host of 96 members of the extended Barker family and his former wife, Patricia Collins. 
Eddie was interred at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida with honors provided by the United States Army.   
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Eddie's Book of Memories Page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com (http://www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com/).
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.