Brian F. Collins

Brian Francis Collins passed away on August 6, 2025, at the age of 77. Born in Syracuse, NY, on May 19, 1948, to Francis W. Collins and Helen Glasser Collins, Brian attended Cherry Rd. Elementary School and Manlius Military Academy in New York. He graduated from Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1970, where he was a charter member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Brian is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janie Escue Collins of Brownsville, TN; his daughters, Jennifer Agcanas (Joel) of Atoka, TN, and Laura Cyrus (Steve) of Padre Island, TX; his grandchildren, Lauren Agcanas, Logan Agcanas, Tyler Cyrus, and Nathan Cyrus; and his sister, Valerie Northen (Cliff) of Ormond Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis (Frank) and Helen Collins.

With a professional and civic career spanning over four decades, Brian began his employment with ITT in Milan, TN, and Raleigh, NC, shortly after graduation. In 1973, he accepted a Human Resources Director position with Facet/Bendix Corp in Jackson, followed by a sixteen-year tenure in HR at American Olean Tile/Armstrong. In 1996, Brian joined the Tennessee Technology Center in Jackson as Assistant Director, later serving as Director for both the Ripley and Newbern locations. Under his leadership, a satellite center was established in Alamo. Brian retired in 2012 with his wife, Janie, to their farm in Trenton, TN.

Beyond his professional achievements, Brian was deeply committed to community service. He was an active member of organizations such as the Madison County Jaycees, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Association. He also served as a TWRA Hunter Safety Instructor, and as a Reserve Deputy and Instructor for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. His contributions extended to Lauderdale County, where he served as Rotary Club President and participated in the Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Board of Regents. Demonstrating his dedication to education and youth development, Brian founded the “Make a Difference Scholarship,” which provides assistance to students enrolled in Ripley and Newbern campuses with opportunities to acquire technological skills and positively impact their communities.

                                                                                                Gone Hunting…

1. Remember the smiles and not the tears
2. For all the hunts throughout the years
3. Don’t dwell on things left unsaid
4. Cherish the memories we had instead
5. Like the crisp morning and dusky nights
6. A trophy buck within our sights
7. Deer camp with friends and family
8. These moments meant so much to me
9. When peace from nature all around
10. Was shattered by a sudden sound
11. I always hoped your aim was truce
12. And smile with pride for all of you
13. So don’t cry for me because life is done
14. Stalking the fields has just begun
15. Come fall may smiles adorn your face
16. Knowing I’ve gone hunting….
17. In a better place
18. 
    

Brian Collins, aka; Daddy, BC, Collins, Duck Plucker, GP, Grumpa, or the “The Great Watosh!” was an avid woodsman, hunter, fisherman and conservationist…Always eager to share his knowledge and skillset with those less “gifted” or “experienced” which by comparison, was all of us who had the pleasure to hunt with him. He was happiest when surrounded by his favorite wooded area, duck blind or fishing hole often-times accompanied by his faithful Labradors: Brandy, Forked Deer Kate, Chaney, Cassie and lastly, Paddy June.

SERVICES: A Gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 3:00 p.m. with Mike Butler speaking

The family is requesting that memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.