Kenneth "Pat" Collins

Kenneth “Pat” Collins, 92, passed away on December 25th, 2022 after a short illness. Pat was born on June 18, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio. He resided on the Hilltop and graduated from West High School in 1948. Before graduating from the Ohio State University in 1957, he served 3 years in the 10th Field Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division and received the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for 89 combat missions as an Air Observer during the Korean War.

Pat was employed as Director of Sales for two Columbus hotels, the Deshler Hilton Hotel and the Columbus Plaza (Renaissance). He was Vice President of the Ohio Savings and Loan League from 1964 until 1972. He then served several years as Vice President of the Ohio Financial Service Corporation. In 1975, he became the President of the Ohio Independent Telephone Association, now the Ohio Telecom Association. He retired in 1998 as President of the Ohio Telecom Association and was Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Small Local Exchange Carriers Association from 1997 until 2005.

Pat was kind to everyone he met, and he found humor in almost every situation. He and his wife, Janet, lived in Upper Arlington and spent their winters in Naples, Florida. He cared deeply about his family and his community. He volunteered at Windermere Elementary School, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Northwest Eye Surgeons, and Sea Gate Elementary School in Naples, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Janet; sons Scott (Robyn) of Dublin, OH and Timothy (Kathy) of the Villages, FL; sister Joy Tonneman; stepchildren Stephen (Tram) Rex of Alexandria, VA, Andrew (Denise) Rex of Ft. Collins, CO, Clint (Stori) Rex of Columbus, and Mindy Rex of Berkeley, CA; grandchildren Mason (Caroline Singleton), Mallory Whitt (Dan), and Bryce Collins; two great-grandchildren Collins and Wyatt Whitt; and eleven step-grandchildren: Connor, Milan, Dylan, Brady, Will, Hank, Ellie, Jack, Lakin, Ivy, and Bowen.

A private burial and family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.