Fred Collins

Former Grants Pass resident, Fred Collins, age 79, of Bremerton, Washington died Monday, December 2, 2013 at his home.

A viewing will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 at Hull & Hull Chapel. A committal service with military honors will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Warrior Foundation~Freedom Station or Children of the Nations International.

Fred was born November 28, 1934 in Miller, Oklahoma to Charlie & Edna Collins. He grew up in the Southwest United States, New Mexico and later Oregon. In 1953 he graduated from Lakeview High School. On December 3, 1955 in Lakeview he married Ruth Rawlin and they were later sealed in the Portland, Oregon Temple on December 3, 1994. In May 1956 he joined the United States Navy and retired in 1975. From 1976 to 1993 he worked for Litton Guidance and Control. From 1994 to 1998 he was a truck driver.

Fred was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the Retired Enlisted Associates. He was also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through the church he was baptized on November 20, 1993 and later, together with his wife, he served a two year family history mission in Salt Lake City.

His hobbies included bowling, family history, reading and writing poetry. In his last few years following Ruth’s death Fred formed special bonds with bowlers from Caveman Bowling Alley – especially the Match Club – and with the wonderful staff of Asante Infusion Services and Hematology Oncology Associates.

Survivors include a daughter, Dolores “Dee” Donn of Bremerton, Washington; a son, Steve Collins of Findlay, Ohio; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers, Perry Collins of Lakeview, Oregon and Bob Collins in Prineville, Oregon; and a sister, Wanda Nerdrum of Eugene, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by a son, Francis Collins in 1997 and his wife, Ruth Collins in 2005.