Jesse Lee Collins, 87, of Waveland passed peacefully and surrounded in love on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024.
Jesse is survived by son Michael (Sheila) Collins; siblings, Acie (Mary) Collins and Shirley (Wendell) Craft; grandchildren, Matthew L. Nagel, Amy M. Smith, Michael (Brittany) Collins, Jason (Tiffany) Collins, Eric (Kelly) Collins, Aaron Collins and Travis (Kristen) Collins; and18 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by wife Fatima Alice Collins; daughter Patrica Alice Collins; parents Ambrose and Minnie (Ray) Collins; and sister Betty Jean Tompkins.
Jesse was born Nov. 22, 1936, in Hazard, Kentucky. His family later settled in northern Rensselaer, Indiana, where he graduated from Wheatfield High School, Class of 1955. This is where he met the love of his life and married Fatima on May 17, 1955. They began their married life the day he graduated high school and later built their family home in Kniman, Indiana, where they raised their two children. Jesse established his career as a skilled mechanic with Gariop Construction Co., where he later retired after 30 years.
Jesse was a very dedicated man to establishing a life for his family and thoroughly enjoyed working on cars and teaching his grandchildren his craft and passion along with passing on his admirable work ethic. After retirement, Jesse and Fatima relocated to Waveland, where he continued his passion of working on just about anything that needed fixed. He enjoyed helping his family with all their projects whether it be mechanical, home renovations, and became a skilled carpenter and enjoyed rehabbing and bringing back to life old furniture pieces. Moreover, he enjoyed spending time with his family and making memories. Whether it be working on projects, family camping trips, or one of the many family vacations that everyone holds dear. Most profound is his love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the big smile on his face and laughs of pure joy as he sat back and just took it all in.
The visitation and funeral will be held Friday, Aug. 16, beginning at 9 a.m. (CST), at Jackson Funeral Chapel in Rensselaer. A graveside ceremony will follow at Memory Gardens in Rensselaer, where Matthew Nagel, Jason Collins, Eric Collins, Aaron Collins, Travis Collins and Tayton Browning have accepted the honor as pallbearers to bring him to his final resting place. Amy Smith and Robin Rock will officiate the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Jesse’s honor with Cat’s Limited (www.catslimited.org) or Lori’s Kitty Rescue (loriskittyrescure.wix.com/loris). The family would like to thank all the caregivers and nursing staff who took such good care of him on his final journey with us.
To share memories and/or condolences, visit www.jacksonfuneral.com.
