Rayford Glenn Collins Sr.

Rayford was born in Jackson, TN September 1, 1938 the son of the late Charlie Collins and the late Pearline Vickery Collins. He attended school at J.B. Young and was a graduate of South Side High School where he excelled in sports. He played basketball and was from all accounts an outstanding football player.

Rayford is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rhonda Collins of Jackson. Three sons, David Collins of Henderson, Rayford Collins, Jr , wife Debbie and grandson Adam of Allen, TX, and Michael Collins and grandson Bryson also of Jackson, a stepson Chris Wheat and wife Melissa and their three daughters Michelle, Rachel and Launa of Scotts Hill, TN. and his little Yorkie, Rowdy Collins.

Rayford was employed by the Jackson Sun for many years working in the composing room as his “day job’ whether it be “day or night” then going to the gym to coach the Jackson Boxing Club Team. Rayford coached the Jackson Boxing Club for 55+ years. He boxed and coached at the same time for many years. He coached Joel McAlexander, Jim Carmichael, Freddie Teague, Noel Long, Jackie, Obie, Aubrey and Rickey Beard and the late Michael Nunnally as well as Chancellor Joe Morris. Rayford was blessed to have natural ability in boxing and then to pass his love on to the many young boxers here in Jackson. Though his love of boxing was not shared by is sons, they supported him in his passion for boxing and helping the youth of the Jackson Community.

Many will say that “Rayford put Jackson, TN on the map”. In 1980 Rayford and Jackie Beard had the opportunity to make Jackson and West Tennessee part of history by being part of the Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia. The day that Rayford was to be named Head Coach for the boxing team of which Jackie Beard was Team Captain, then President Jimmy Carter made the announcement that the USA would be boycotting the Olympics. This resulted in a great loss for the members of the Olympic Team who had the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the sport they loved. Rayford was named “1980 Coach of the Year” by USA Boxing. In 1989 Rayford was honored to be selected to enter the Madison County Sports Hall of Fame and in 2015 was awarded the first Lifetime of Service Award given by the Hall of Fame.

Rayford also had another love other than boxing and his family. He raced Motocross for many years. He retired from his love of speed and danger at the age of 67. If he had not been bothered by racing, boxing and old football injuries he would have continued to race for many more years. There are very few guys who are still racing at 67 years of age. I heard someone say today that MX Racing was a two lane sport, but that Rayford would make it 3 lanes and could take the lead over his competition while in the air. Motorcycles and boxing seem to be the adrenaline rush he needed. The biggest reward from his racing career was that he shared this love with his sons and grandson Adam. At the ripe old age of four “PaPaw” gave Adam his first motocross bike complete with training wheels, but being a Collins boy he quickly abandoned those training wheels and became a MX Racer just like his Dad and his PaPaw. Rayford’s son Rayford, Jr or “Champ” as his dad called him excelled in the sport that his dad so loved and had also excelled in. I think this love for dirt bikes and motocross was one that all the Collins boys loved even though it was dangerous, but really that was the draw – adrenaline junkies for sure This is the one sport they all could share since his sons did not box but supported their Dad in all his endeavors. Many a Sunday was spent sitting in the sun getting sunburned, eating dirt from all the dust that swirled around as the riders came careening around the corners, jumping over a series of little hills, I think they called them “whoops” then jumping over tabletops, etc. You had to really love this sport to spend that much time at the track. Rayford spoke of many trips he took with Champ to go to the Super Dome to race. Loading all the bikes, equipment, and supplies in his old Dodge van the “gray ghost” and taking off down the road. Many times he slept in the van so as to save money so they could race again the next week. As you can see Rayford was a very well rounded person who put his kids and their love of sport ahead of anything he might want to do.

As we read the Jackson Sun each day and follow all the wonderful things being said on Facebook we see a picture painted by those who worked with, admired and loved Rayford. He was a perfectionist and would be the first to tell you if you were off a pica. Don’t ask me I don’t know, but do know that he will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him!!!

The family will receive friends and family at two periods of visitation. The first, yesterday evening at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel. The family will receive friends again this evening from 5-9 p.m at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel.

Funeral services for Rayford will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church with J.D. Matlock and Mark Pendergrass officiating. Interment will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery.

Active pallbearers to serve will be Dan Morris, Jimmy Carmichael, Shane Vaughn, Obie Beard, Joel McAlexander and Freddy Teague.