Russell Collins, 83, was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 5, 1935 to Clarence and Ella Collins. His family moved to Cincinnati when he was a young boy. He joined the United States Army in 1952. Russell was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO for basic training and after basic training he was deployed to Korea at the age of 17. After serving in the Korean War, Russell was stationed in Ft. Knox, KY, where he met Maxine Cooper in September, 1955. They were married on April 7th, 1956. In June he was deployed to Frankfurt, Germany for 14 months. They had their first child, Tommy Eugene Collins while stationed in Frankfurt. Russell left the army in 1957 and moved to Jeffersonville, IN. In 1962 they had their second child, Terri Collins Cox. In January of 1963 they moved to Mesa, AZ where he began working construction. In 1971, Russell and Maxine became foster parents and fostered 54 children until 1987. Russell retired in 1987 and moved to Queen Creek where he lived until his death on September 21, 2018.
Russell is survived by his wife of 62 year, Maxine; his daughter, Terri Cox (Bruce); daughter in law, Anita Collins; grandchildren, Seth Cox (Alyse), Stacy Hobby (Joe), Sarah Collins, Nicole Underhill (Frank), Melissa Collins, Ethan Collins (Chloe), and Gregory Collins; and great-grandchildren, Preston, Hudson, Colton, Jaxson and Ella Cox. Russell is preceded in death by his son, Tommy Eugene Collins; parents, Clarence and Ella Collins; brother, Tommy; and sisters, Marilyn and Patty.
Russell is loved and cherished by all and will be dearly missed.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 6th at 10:00 AM at Christ’s Church Free Will Baptist, located at 431 West Ocotillo Road. San Tan Valley, AZ 85140.
San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home is honored to serve Russell’s Family.