Michael "Mike" H. Collins, Major - US Army

Michael “Mike” H. Collins, Major, US Army, 83, of Lubbock, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born on August 25, 1942, in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas to the late King Lee Collins and Betty Jane (Hereford) Collins.

Mike attended Lamar High School, in Lamar, CO, and graduated with his senior class in 1960.

On September 9, 1962, he and the former Bonnie Jean Allen were united in marriage in Canon City, CO. and out of this union bore two beautiful daughters, Robin and Trindi.

After high school, Mike attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, enrolled in General Studies from September 1960 to January 1962. He then attended Colorado State College in Greeley from September 1962 until May 1965, where he obtained his BA in Business Administration. Furthering his education, he attended Webster College in Webster Groves, MD, where he obtained his Masters in Hospital Administration.

Mike then heard the call for service from his country, and he enlisted into the US Army, serving from 1965 to 1980 with a distinguished career. He received his basic training in San Antonio in 1965. He went on to serve at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco from 1965 to 1966. From June 1967 to June 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam, and then to Germany in Bad Kreuznach from June 1968 until the summer of 1970. He then served in Heidelberg, Germany from the summer of 1970 until June 1971. He attended an Officer Career Course in San Antonio from July 1971 until December 1971. He was stationed in Aberdeen, MD at the US Army Base from January 1972 until 1974. From 1974 to 1975, he was stationed in Seoul, Korea. In 1975, he returned to San Antonio, where he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston until 1980. During those 15 years, he served as an officer and medic, having been promoted to Major. From 1980, he served at Parkland Hospital in Arlington, ending his career there as the Associate Vice President and then went on to serve as the Veteran’s Coordinator at Tyler Junior College, before retiring on August 30, 2020. He was thrilled to have been one of those chosen to go on one of the South Plains Honor Flights to Washington, DC, for veterans in 2025.

Mike loved to collect vintage pencil sharpeners from all over, and enjoyed reading historic westerns, especially when John Wayne appeared in them. As well, he enjoyed watching old war movies. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, string art and all sports. He loved the Buffalo Bills, KC Chiefs, Texas Rangers and Texas Tech Red Raiders. He liked to watch women’s fast pitch baseball and the Golf Masters.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory include his wife, Bonnie Collins of Lubbock; two daughters: Robin L. Collins of Lubbock and Trindi L. Collins of Lubbock. He also leaves behind one granddaughter, Courtney Wheeler and her husband Chris and two great-grandchildren, McKynzie Wheeler and Avery Wheeler. Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, and a sister, Cheryl Mosier.

Visitation for Mike will be on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 1 to 2 PM, in the Combest Family Memorial Chapel, 2210 Broadway in Lubbock. Funeral services will follow at 2 PM, with final rites and interment to be held later in the West Texas Veteran’s Cemetery in Lubbock. The Reverend Ann Akin, Associate Pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Lubbock, will be the officiant.