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Thomas V. Collins, 84 went home to be with the Lord, March 5, 2004. A resident of Albuquerque since 1962, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Collins, son Steven Collins and wife Danette of Albuquerque, and daughters Cheryl Eckart and husband J. Michael Eckart of Albuquerque, and Janice Houle and husband Andre' Houle of Belen; grandchildren Scot Collins, Danielle and Elyse Eckart and Timothy Houle; sisters Flo Baldridge of Yucaipa, CA and Lucille Honea of Waco, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents W. T. and Katherine Collins, brother Gene Collins, sisters Naomi Schmedthorst, Hazel Bertrand and Vickie Barnes. Tom was born November 19, 1919 in Waco, TX leaving there in 1939 for Los Angeles, CA. From there, he served in Special Forces entertaining the troops before enlisting in the Air Force during WWII. It was while he was stationed at Chanute Field, IL that he met his wife. They were married in Danville, IL and moved to Los Angeles where he began a career in the insurance business. After 15 years in California, he was transferred to Albuquerque as the District Manager for Woodman Accident and Life Insurance Co. In 1972, he opened his own independent casualty agency. When that was sold in 1979, he was ordained to the ministry and served as pastor and interim pastor of several Albuquerque churches. The last few years it was his joy to perform services in several retirement homes, volunteering in many different ministries serving the Lord wherever he was needed. Tom was the co-founder of Trinity Southwest University with his son, Dr. Steven Collins. He was a loving caring husband, father and grandfather, encouraging and delighting in his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. He treasured his many friends and will always be remembered for his tremendous generosity of spirit, kindness and cheerful, loving nature. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Monday, March 8, 2004 at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd, NE. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at Sandia Baptist Church, 9429 Constitution, NE with Dr. Robert Butler and Dr. Steven Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the library fund of Trinity Southwest University, 10110 Constitution, NE 87112. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd, NE 275-3500
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