John M. Collins

John M. Collins

January 23, 1944 – December 14, 2024

John Michael Collins was the first son born to Milford and Greta Collins on January 23, 1944. He was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and graduated with a master’s in architecture.

He met Karen J. Bolin at the University. They were married June 3, 1967, in Omaha. They lived in Lincoln while he finished school. When John graduated in 1968, they made a big move to Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked for Bill Simpson Architects. They were able to travel to the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and the California Coast. During this time, John became a registered Architect in six states and the NCARB

He and Karen moved back to Omaha to be closer to family. John was employed by Boyer & Biskup and Leo A. Daly. While he was at Leo A. Daly, he was able to travel to Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and England. While in Omaha, he was lead architect on the Northwestern Bell building. He adopted Irish, the first of many dogs that would be his happy companions through life.

In 1978 John started his own firm called Architects & Company, Ltd. He had designed and built a new home in Omaha. Soon after, his family grew. In March of 1980, Courtney Amanda Collins Bennett was born and in March of 1985, David Richford Collins was born. John always loved to travel, especially if ocean views were involved. He was an adventurer at heart, saying yes to all opportunities. He has been to most of the Caribbean, Mexico, and some of Central America. Sharing many trips with close friends and family, his exploration of England, Greece, and Egypt were favorites.

John enjoyed hunting, sailing, scuba diving, and golf. He was a builder and designer, always working on the next project. He was also a big Nebraska football fan and still has season tickets. He built a home on Beaver Lake where he could enjoy his boats on the water. He helped develop a golf course at the lake where he could golf. John and Karen enjoyed spending fall and winter at their home near the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. He came home to see his grandchildren and family in Omaha for the holidays every year. During this year he became very ill and required gastrointestinal surgeries. He showed great courage in his struggle with this illness.

John was preceded in death by his mother Greta and father Milford, mother-in-law Emily “Billie” and father-in-law Richard Bolin, sister-in-law Alice, and nephew Tyler P. Collins.

John is survived by wife, Karen Joyce Collins, daughter Courtney Amanda Bennett (Jeremy) of Austin Texas, son David Richford Collins of Arizona. Also surviving are his brothers James P. Collins of Lakewood, Colorado and Dr. William Collins (Lynn) of Lincoln, Nebraska, and a sister-in-law Betty Forrest (Tom) of Omaha, Nebraska  Surviving grandchildren are Madison Collins, Levi Porter, and Carter Bennett. Nieces and nephews surviving are Ann Heitbrink (Marty) and Sarah Irvin (Jay), Sean Caywood, Matthew Forrest (Jessica), Benjamin Forrest (Lindsay), Zachary Forrest (Rachel), Christian Olson (Kelley), Gabrial Olson. Also missing him is an Airedale puppy named Bentley who joined the family earlier this year.

On Saturday evening, December 14, 2024, at 80 years old, with his wife and youngest brother there, his heart slowly faded out and John entered into eternal life.

VISITATION: Thursday, December 26, 2024, 5:00-7:00PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha NE 68124.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, December 27, 2024, 11:00AM at West Center Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children: Donate to Shriners Hospitals for Children® or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial Gift: Online Donations – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital