Obituary for Gary Maurice Collins
Gary Maurice Collins, 79, of Bonner Springs, KS, passed away January 13, 2022, at Providence
Medical Center. He was born in Fort Monmouth, NJ. on May 23, 1942 to Lela June (Casebeer)
and Tate Collins, Jr.
On October 5, 1974, he married Jacqueline Kowalski in New Lenox, IL. Their first years of
marriage were spent in Lake Zurich, IL., where they were blessed with two children. They moved
to Bonner Springs, KS in 1979 where they welcomed their third child and spent the remainder
of their years together.
Gary spent most of his career in mainframe operations for various banking and insurance
companies. As mainframe computing phased out, he transitioned to technical writing, retiring in
2002.
Gary was passionate about his family, computers, trains, and music. Gary was actively involved
in his children’s lives serving as Cub Master and attending every band concert. He was an early
adopter of home computing and an active member of the Commodore Users Group of Kansas
City in the 1980s. Gary was an avid model railroader and celebrated his 70th birthday in the
engineer’s seat of a steam locomotive. He was a long-time percussionist, and his favorite place
in the summer was front row at the Bonner Springs City Band concert with a slice of pie.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Tate and June Collins.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie; his three children, Janice Collins of Gresham, OR, Geoffrey
Collins (Amanda) of Croton-On-Hudson, NY, and Kevin Collins (Brook Rentz) of Bonner Springs,
KS; his three beloved grandchildren, Tate Collins, Jessie Collins, and Luke Collins; one brother,
David Collins (Gina Ross) of Lawrence, KS; and extended family and friends.
No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned.
Medical Center. He was born in Fort Monmouth, NJ. on May 23, 1942 to Lela June (Casebeer)
and Tate Collins, Jr.
On October 5, 1974, he married Jacqueline Kowalski in New Lenox, IL. Their first years of
marriage were spent in Lake Zurich, IL., where they were blessed with two children. They moved
to Bonner Springs, KS in 1979 where they welcomed their third child and spent the remainder
of their years together.
Gary spent most of his career in mainframe operations for various banking and insurance
companies. As mainframe computing phased out, he transitioned to technical writing, retiring in
2002.
Gary was passionate about his family, computers, trains, and music. Gary was actively involved
in his children’s lives serving as Cub Master and attending every band concert. He was an early
adopter of home computing and an active member of the Commodore Users Group of Kansas
City in the 1980s. Gary was an avid model railroader and celebrated his 70th birthday in the
engineer’s seat of a steam locomotive. He was a long-time percussionist, and his favorite place
in the summer was front row at the Bonner Springs City Band concert with a slice of pie.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Tate and June Collins.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie; his three children, Janice Collins of Gresham, OR, Geoffrey
Collins (Amanda) of Croton-On-Hudson, NY, and Kevin Collins (Brook Rentz) of Bonner Springs,
KS; his three beloved grandchildren, Tate Collins, Jessie Collins, and Luke Collins; one brother,
David Collins (Gina Ross) of Lawrence, KS; and extended family and friends.
No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned.