Richard Joseph "R J" Collins

He was born on October 28, 1944 to the late Joseph Arthur and Annette Collins. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband and father.

R J is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Gloria Retallic Collins, his children, Tracy Clune (and her husband, Scott) of Hoschton, GA, Tammy Hancock ( and her husband, Sam) of Tallahassee and Raymond Collins (and his wife, Rachel) of Tallahassee, his grandchildren, Brooke and Britney Clune, Keith Gillespie, Taylor and Samantha Hancock, Kellie and Kyle Collins, and his sister, Patty A. Arnette of Miami. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Richard Edward Arnette of Miami.

A native of New York, he grew up in Miami and moved to Tallahassee in 1996. He served as a proud member of the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam from 1963-1967. In Miami, he was a member of Elks Lodge #948 and a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus. He has also served the Miami and Tallahassee business communities for over 50 years in the trade of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration with R.J. Collins Air Conditioning, Inc.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 – 6 pm Monday, October 11, 2010 at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Rd. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Injured Marines Semper Fi Funds or the American Cancer Society.

He will be missed.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.