David Arthur Collins' Obituary
David Arthur Collins, 97, of Germantown, TN passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025. Born in Greenville, SC on July 4, 1927, he was raised at the Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, SC. With his Independence Day birthday, he loved to tell people he was 35 years old before he realized the fireworks weren’t just for him.
He is survived by “the woman that made his life amazing” for 67 years, Kay Maples Collins, his children Debra Collins (fiancé David Klein) and Rip Collins (Cindy), his grandchildren Tracy Collins, Kristopher Ketola (Heidi), Tess Collins Hill (Mark) and Kelli Ketola, and his great-grandchildren Davin Sheppard, Kaleb Ketola, and Maverick Hill.
After graduating from Thornwell High School in 1945, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years. He served as a clerk at the FBI in Washington, DC for 2 ½ years while attending American University. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC in 1954 and went on to serve as Assistant to the Dean of Students at Presbyterian College. Following that, he worked for Pi Kappa Alpha first as a Field Secretary, then Administrative Assistant, Assistant Executive Director, and finally, Acting Executive Director. While working for Pi Kappa Alpha in February 1957, he met Kay and married the love of his life just five months later on July 31, 1957. In 1961 he enrolled in graduate school at Memphis State University and held a position as Deputy Clerk of the Office of Criminal Court in Memphis. He received a Master of Arts in June 1962 and accepted a position as Assistant Dean of Students at Auburn University. In 1964, Dean Collins (or Mean Dean as he was affectionately known to the students) returned to Memphis and spent the next 30 years at Memphis State University (UofM), ending his long career as Assistant Vice President of Student Educational Services in 1993. In his retirement from Memphis, he was a member of the Alumni Emeritus Club and the President’s Emeritus Club.
Pop (as Rip, the grands and great-grands call him) was the ultimate gentleman. He taught his son and grandson how to be gentlemen as well. And how to shake hands properly! He mentored thousands of students who still talk about “Mean Dean” to this day. He made a lasting impact on all who came to know him. He was an avid reader and was also very active in his church. After retirement, he was president of his HOA for several years, doted on his grandchildren and was a member of the “Coffee Club” at the Germantown Athletic Club for many years. He was well known for his Banana Pudding and the Christmas Fruit Cookies that were truly a labor of love to make. He was also known to throw himself a “surprise” birthday party on more than one occasion! Socializing was his hobby, and he was quick to make friends. He was an excellent storyteller, and he had LOTS of stories to tell.
He made a note of a particular quote: “Be Clear, Think for Yourself, and be Brief”
Sorry Pop, we weren’t brief, but we had a lot to say about you!
Arrangements are as follows:
Visitation – Thursday, February 6, 2025, 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Memorial Park in Memphis
Funeral Service - Friday, February 7, 2025, 2:00pm at Memorial Park in Memphis
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the University of Memphis David A. Collins ODK Scholarship Fund for emerging leaders.
Link for Donations: https://supportum.memphis.edu/CollinsODK
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