Obituary of Ronald Dean Collins

Ronald Dean Collins passed away May 12, 2014 at his home in Olympia, Washington, of natural causes. Sixty-nine years old at the time of his death, he was born in Lubbock, Texas, and grew up in Hobbs, New Mexico. The youngest of four siblings, he was a bit of a black sheep his entire life. Growing up in the desert, it was natural for him to join the US Navy for a change of scenery and adventure. He served in the Submarine Service aboard the USS Barbel, stationed in Bremerton, Washington, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He spent the better part of the 1960s deploying throughout Asia, from Japan to Australia and everywhere in between. Stories of one deployment are covered in the book, Blind Man’s Bluff. Later in life, he would admit that leaving Naval service was one of his bigger regrets. In 1968, he entered the force with the Washington State Patrol. Issued badge number 309, he patrolled the Interstate 5 corridor from Seattle to Longview for the better part of two decades. Married several times, he finally found his match, marrying Lora Collins on October 6, 2001. Whether as Petty Officer Collins on liberty in the Pacific, or Trooper Collins on patrol in Washington, his personality generally filled whatever room he was in. A patriot, servant, friend for those in need and a father, he had many roles. A force for organized labor later in life, he spearheaded efforts to unionize the Washington State Patrol, leaving a lasting legacy for those who put their lives on the line every day. Preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Lois, and sister, Virginia, he is survived by two of his siblings, Edwin Collins and Carol Owens; his three sons, Ryan, Aaron and Chad Collins; three grandsons, Owen, Alex and Evan; and his loving wife, Lora, and her two children, Alisha and Joshua. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, please make donations in Ron’s name to the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington. Please leave memories of Ron or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.