Jimmy Leon Collins

JIMMY LEON
COLLINS
1943- 2007

Jimmy Collins, a loving father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Ynez on June 30, 2007 with his family by his side. Jimmy was born in McFarland, Ca., on April 13, 1943, to Horace "Bill" Collins of Texas and Mary Jane Couch of Arkansas. His family moved to Delano, Ca., in his early childhood.
He attended school in Delano, Ca., and graduated from Delano High School in 1962. In 1964 his family moved to Sisquoc, Ca., where his family helped to establish wine grapes that are grown throughout the Central Coast today. He began his career as a barber at the Deluxe Barber Shop in Santa Maria. Years later, he changed careers and went to work for Home Motors Chevrolet in Santa Maria. He took a short break from auto sales and was a manager of Williams Brother's Market for several years before returning to work at Home Motors. He sold cars at Home Motors for more than 20 years. He serviced many fleet accounts and was well known throughout the farming community. Jimmy finished his career as a Fleet Manager for Sunset Auto Center in Lompoc, Ca.
He met his wife, Helen Collins, in Santa Maria and was married to her for 32 years. They raised two children, Roxanne and Brandon. He was a dedicated father and family man. He enjoyed spending his time with his family. He was always there for his daughter's softball games or tennis matches and for his son's baseball games. He spent most of his weekends at Lake San Antonio or Lake Nacimiento with his family teaching his children to water-ski. This was one of his favorite activities with his family.
Jimmy was known by all, for his sense of humor and resilience to the numerous obstacles of life. His family and friends will truly miss him.
He is survived by his daughter Roxanne Durant and her husband Michael, their three children, Jennifer, Jacqueline and Stephen of Santa Maria, his son, Brandon Collins and his wife Rhonda, their three daughters, Hailey, Caitlyn and Madolynn, of Lake Nacimiento, Ca., his mother, Mary Chamberlin and his sister, Betti Puppi, both of Rowland Heights, Ca.
In respect of Jimmy's wishes a private gathering of family will be held in his honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jimmy's name to the Marian Hospice Center in Santa Maria, 1400 East Church St., Santa Maria, Ca 93454.
Arrangements are under the Care of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary and Crematory
Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463