St Paul's Episcopal Church
1307 W 5th St.
Freeport, TX  77541
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
11:00 a.m.
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St Paul's Episcopal Church
1307 W 5th St.
Freeport, TX  77541
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
2:00 p.m.
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Ralph Davis Collins Jr.

of Freeport, TX

December 15, 1942 - January 15, 2015


  • Obituary
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Ralph Davis Collins Jr. (Davy)

12/15/1942-1/15/2015


Ralph Davis Collins, Jr. took his first breath Dec. 15, 1942 and took his last breath Jan. 15, 2015.


He was born in Freeport, Texas, the only son of Ralph Davis Collins, Sr. and Joyce Perry Collins. Davy graduated from Brazosport High School Class of 1961. He was the student body president, elected to the Legions Boys State and listed in Who's Who among student leaders. After graduation Davy attended the University of Texas and Washington University.


Davy was on the campaign staff of Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson while he was running for president.


He attended 1964 Democratic National Convention as a member of Sen. Ralph Yarborough's staff. Davy made a career of campaigning for politicians near and far.


He also served as a White House aide during the Kennedy Administration. Davy wrote speeches for numerous candidates.


Davy was devoted to St. Paul's Episcopal Church all of his life. As a child he was an Acolyte, served on the Vestry, and as an adult he became a lay reader.


After his retirement, Davy was a devoted and loyal companion with his weekly visits to the elderly at private homes, hospitals and assisted living centers.


He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, Robert and Bernice Collins, and paternal grandparents Bryan and Maybelle Perry and his beloved nephew Shane Sandel. Davy was the great, great great grandson of Emily Austin Bryan Perry, sister of Stephen F. Austin.


Davy is survived by two sisters Debby Collins, Desiree Pearson (Tom), nephews, Troy Brimage (Sabrina) and Tommy Pearson (Beth), numerous cousins, a great niece, two great nephews and other relatives.


The family will receive friends 11 am Tuesday, January 20, 2015 until 1 p.m., services will begin at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Freeport, Texas with Rev. Robert Dohle officiating. Interment will follow at Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones Creek. Pallbearers will be: Judge Matthew Reue, Dr. David Reue, Jamie Anders, Patrick Yarborough, Sandy Weems, Mary Ruth Rodenbaugh, Judge Ogdon Bass and Richard Turner.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Davy's memory to the cancer society or the charity of your choice. Davy was a loving, compassionate, gentle soul of a man who will be greatly missed by all. Good job, faithful servant. Arrangements by the Turner family. On line condolences may be made to lakewoodfuneralchapel.com.

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29 Condolence(s)
Linda Carson Goode
Brazoria, TX
Tuesday, February 3, 2015

So sorry for your loss and he was a great class member. Loved by everyone in our class's and a brilliant person.

Linda Weber Jones
Everett, WA
Thursday, January 22, 2015

A good man and a kind soul! Prayers are with Debby and rest of family. Blessings,

Eileen McMillan-Koenig
Freeport, TX
Thursday, January 22, 2015

Davy was a wonderful person always had a smile for you. He will be missed.

Sandy Hopper Holt
Austin, TX
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Davy. He was a special person and loved very much.

Bob Walker
, TX
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Davy was a great guy. Full of life. Perhaps his signature was his uniquely infectious laugh. He will be missed.

Marsha Dingle McCary
Austin, TX
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

I am so grateful for my lifelong friendship with Davy. What a special friend he was. I am so sorry for his loss.

Naomi Antill Smith
WestColumbia, TX
Monday, January 19, 2015

The State has lost a man who can never be replaced. His love for our history and your family's role in its creation will always be one of my most cherished memories. David was so proud of his two sisters and I know he will be missed by. David was always a gentleman and I loved his hat. My prayers for all of you and that you find peace and comfort in your faith and friends.

Joan Turney Ainsworth
Anchorage, AK
Monday, January 19, 2015

'61 classmate

So sorry for your loss.

Russ Mann
Lake Forest, CA
Monday, January 19, 2015

My condolences.
BHS Class of 1961

bill hale
beaumont, TX
Monday, January 19, 2015

I will always remember Davy as a good friend from Freeport jr hi days, and Brazosport sr Hi. He will be missed.

weylon mcdougal
lake jackson, TX
Monday, January 19, 2015

debby and desiree my deepest sympathy to you in the loss of a great brother. My memory of him is when Joyce took us to see him at the Perry home he had moved to the family property in Jones Creek and so lovingly restored. He was such a gentleman and will be missed by many.

Lind F Filipp
Danbury, TX
Sunday, January 18, 2015

My condolences to the family. I knew David through work in the voter registration dept. He was a honorable man and over the years our respect for each other grew. David will be missed. May God comfort you at this time and may your celebration of his life bring joy to your hearts

Linda F Filipp

Paula Ray McCall
St. Marys, GA
Sunday, January 18, 2015

I was so saddened to hear about Davy leaving us. To say he was a good friend is an understatement.

I have so many pleasant memories of our school days. Particularly in high school when Davy, Bill Hale, Mary Ann Bellar and I sold ads for the newspaper at lunch time. Davy's grandmother could pack the best lunches.

He was indeed one of the nicest people I have ever known and I will indeed miss him.

Fay Burke
Fulshear, TX
Sunday, January 18, 2015

Debby, I know your heart is heavy but your many friends will help you carry the burden of your loss. Davy was a special person to so many. Vernon and I were honored to know him. I know how much he cared for you and how much he appreciated the relationship ya'll had. You now have another special guardian angel assisting Shane, Tamara, Ralph, Joyce, Emily, Stephen F....and all the other family members you have lost. The torch has been passed to you to continue to honor the family heritage--I know you will do a wonderful job.

John W Bryant
Dallas, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Ralph was a great guy whose service to his country in politics and government service was courageous, effective, and unselfish. He was never afraid to be on the front lines, even when the cause was right but not popular. He will be greatly missed.

Jo Haynes Ormsby
Richardson, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

We will miss you, Sweetheart. Greg and I have such fond memories of our high school days when you spent many hours at our house. I recall that your ambition was to be President of the United States, on the Democratic ticket, of course.! You made a difference in my life, and I thank you. Love forever

Fred Beene
, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

A really nice guy.

Kathey King
The Woodlands, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Debby,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Davy was one of a kind. He was a life long friend--there are so many memories of all the wonderful things we all did together through the years. He will be missed by all of us--we loved him.

Ralph & Vanessa Fox
SPRING, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Deb & Des,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the both of you with the loss of Davey.Love the both of you Ralph and V

Suzanne Creswell-Gautney
Angleton, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

A great loss to our world. A true gentleman.

Bobette Heaton
Madisonville, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

You will be missed, Davey. classmate 1961

Charles Wolf
VILLA RICA, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Davey,
May you rest in peace.

Melva Owings Peterson
Corpus Christi, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Davy will long be remembered by his BHS '61 classmates for his many student activities, his personality, and his "can do" attitude. Just like on the tv show "Cheers", everybody knew his name.

He was a treasure and will be missed by many.

Bobby Spillers
Sugar Land, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Will miss my friend greatly.

Marilyn Haish Cook
Lubbock, TX
Saturday, January 17, 2015

So very sorry to hear of the loss of Davy. He was a wonderful classmate. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Milton Fenley
West Columbia, TX
Friday, January 16, 2015

You can't think about the class of '61 from BHS without remembering Davy Collins. A super guy and classmate.

Jarrett Brack
Cedar Creek, TX
Friday, January 16, 2015

Davy was indeed special and loved. I hold fond memories of him in the 8th grade when he and I spent time with our Social Studies Teacher, Mr Trietsch (who was absolutely brilliant, a phenomial piano player, and blind). Davy and I would discuss how fortunate we were to know him. Davy, your are missed.

Dan Hallmark
Beaumont, TX
Friday, January 16, 2015

What a special memory I have off this super nice man, always friendly, always had time to visit, always interested in how you were and what you had been doing. We will miss him dearly.
Dan Hallmark

Dolores Knox
Freeport, TX
Friday, January 16, 2015

He was such a great brother to you both. Rest in peace.