Gary Wayne Collins

September 26, 1958 - May 28, 2019

Gary Wayne Collins, 60, of Beaumont, Texas passed away May 28, 2019 after battling cancer for the past 3 years. He was born in Beaumont, Texas on September 26, 1958 to the late Thomas Joseph Collins and Wanda Sue Willis Collins. Gary graduated from Nederland High School in 1976. He lived in Nederland all of his life. Gary served his community as a firefighter for over 42 years, where he began as a volunteer at the Nederland Fire Department at the age of 18. He served as the Fire Chief for the Nederland Fire Department from 2005 until 2019 when he retired. Gary attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of the Church of Christ Church in Nederland. He enjoyed working on classic cars and was a member of the MOPAR Car Club. He also enjoyed horses and team roping. Gary was always available with a helping hand. Those left to cherish Gary’s memory are his wife of 16 years, Connie Sue Menge Collins of Beaumont; his sons, Cody Phelps and his wife, Sarah of Vidor and Corey Phelps of Beaumont; his sister, Michelle Kennedy and her husband, Kyle of San Antonio; his grandchildren, Cody, Brody, Callie, and Greg; and his niece, Kaitlyn Kennedy. Gary was known as “Pop” to his grandchildren whom he loved so much. He is preceded in death by his parents. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Melancon’s Funeral Home with Michael Williams and Weldon Dunlap officiants. The family is requesting memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 Bayoubrandt Dr. Ste B, Beaumont, TX 77706, 409-924-0576 or American Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike Ste 300, Rockville, Maryland 20852, [email protected], 1-800-638-8299.