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John Jay Collins, 84, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on September 1, 2017 at Indian River Memorial Hospital peacefully surrounded by his family.
John was born in Oak Park, Illinois on January 14, 1933. He graduated from The University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He served in the Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.
John was married to Melinda (Byerline) Collins on April 28, 1957; they were married for 60 years. John met Linda in Champaign, Illinois and never left her side.
John began his working years in Chicago with Julian Collins & Company. He later became a founding member of The Chicago Corporation, where he worked until semi-retirement in 1973. After moving his family from Glenview, Illinois to Vero Beach, Florida, John invested in real estate and purchased the Sebastian Business Supply in 1986, which he operated until 2000. He enjoyed investing, boating, fishing, and spending time with his wife Linda, and their dogs.
John is survived by his wife, Linda; three children, Clay Collins and his wife Jenae of Vero Beach, Laura Collins (Pyne) of Panama City, and Todd Collins and his wife Glynnis of Jacksonville; his two grandchildren, Clayton Collins and his wife Lesley of Dallas, and Carrie Collins (Boudrias) and her husband Chet of Ft. Pierce; and his two great grandchildren, Emily Boudrias of Ft. Pierce and Claire Collins of Dallas.
John is preceded in death by his son, Mark Collins; his parents, Earl and Eve Collins; and his sister, Natalie Gilmore.
A private service will be held for family.
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