April 26, 2024

Ronald Wesley Collins

Ronald Wesley Collins, 72, died Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City. 

He was born December 28, 1943 at Elkhart, Kansas, the son of Herman T. and Ruth (Monroe) Collins. He grew up in Rolla, Kansas and was a graduate of Rolla High School and received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer. During his seven year service he did one tour of Vietnam in 1968. He and his family were last stationed in West Germany when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. In February of 1974 he moved to Dodge City and worked at the Kansas Soldiers home in Ft. Dodge for 30 years as a Personnel Officer, retiring in 2004. 

He was a member of the Bucklin United Methodist Church, VFW Post 1520, Ft. Dodge, Past Commander of the 8th District of the VFW, served on the Veterans Council, and was a member of the Santa Fe Trail Organization. 

His hobbies included: Hunting, fishing, woodworking, art, and collecting arrowheads and antiques. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. 

On August 15, 1965 he married Tanna Fisk at Texhoma, Oklaohma. 

Survivors include: his wife, Dodge City; his daughter, Tasha Fagen and husband Kreg, Spearville; his son, Justin Shane Collins, Bucklin; a sister, Wilma McCord and husband Francis “Hip”, Fairbury, Nebraska; 5 grandchildren, Teryn Fagen, Kimberly Collins, Kirstalyn Collins, Justin Tanner Wesley Collins and Haley Sierra Collins; and 1 great grandson, Brady Schwartz. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy Banker and a brother, Ray Collins. 

Memorial services will be 10:00 am Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City, with Rev. Rick Jones officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Dodge, with full military rites by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 and Military Honors for the State of Kansas. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday at Ziegler Funeral Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to VFW Post 1714 in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.