James Collins Sr.

James Perry “Jim” Collins, Sr. died on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Born in Charlotte, NC on January 8, 1938 to Effie Ritch and Fred D. Collins, Sr. he lived to be 82. He is survived by his wife and companion of 30 years, Madeleine Chase Collins, his children Bo, Paige & Perry & his grandchildren Fendall, Taylor, Miles, KJ, Welby, Sumner, Hayes & Dane. He had his first job at 9, a paper route for the Charlotte Observer. In 1950, he lost his right eye in a putt-putt accident when one boy swung at a ball that ricocheted off of something and knocked out his eye. He lived with that disability, but never allowed it to make him “disabled.” Decades later, he won a golf tournament at Midland Trail Golf Club. Jim was a graduate of Central High School’s Class of ‘56, maintaining friendships with many classmates, helped & contributed to many class reunions over the decades. He authored a book to honor them called “I Kept An Eye Out For You.” He attended Charlotte College (UNCC), married & had children. He ultimately graduated from UNC. He then took a job with Fruehauf Trailers & moved the family to Louisville in 1968. He ultimately started his own trailer company, Allied Trailer Sales. He was widely known & well respected in the trailer business. He was deeply loved & respected by his family. He loved America, respected our flag & taught his children to appreciate freedom. He was well-traveled, seeing 49 States & much of Europe. He spent many years researching his family history as he traveled, visiting many town’s libraries and courthouses. His compilation, entitled “The Collins-Ritch Papers” is a very thoroughly investigated, well documented & skillfully written genealogy. He was about to receive his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. His generosity was unparalleled. He would rarely allow anyone to “pick up the tab.” Jim possessed high intelligence, strong determination & positive attitude that carried him through many trying times. He was a man of few words, but his word was his bond. He was a strong & proud man. He lived by the Golden Rule and taught his kids to “Be Yourself, Be Honest and Be Somebody.” By any measure, he was a great success, a great man and a great American. He will be missed. Every single day.