James Mount Collins, Sr. passed away peacefully on November 17, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, his home for the last seven years. A native of Mulberry, Florida, he graduated from The Bolles School in Jacksonville. Mr. Collins was a highly successful and self-taught homebuilder with projects in Florida, Maryland and Costa Rica.
He had a passion for playing the trumpet and Big Band music. As a member of The Recycles Orchestra and Jacksonville Community Band, he entertained countless residents in area nursing homes over the last five years.
Preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia Post, granddaughter, Stephanie Schmidt and sister, Helen Pickard, he is survived by his son, James Mount Collins, Jr. (wife, Sara) of Tampa; grandson, Tony Schmidt of Wilmington, NC; and loving companion, Anita Claeboe of Ponte Vedra Beach.
A celebration of Mr. Collins’ life will be held Mon., Nov 21st at 1:00 pm at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL. Donations may be made to The Recycles Orchestra, 2156 Salt Myrtle Lane, Orange Park, FL 32003 attn: Jim Dynan.
