James Collins went to be with the Lord on November 10, 2018. He was born on August 10, 1948 in Ottawa, Illinois to James Ermal & Mary Louise Collins.

He graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1966 where he was part of the Sapulpa High School Band and played the cornet. He met and married one of his high school classmates Linda (Matzinger) Collins on September 12, 1975.

James worked for the city of Tulsa for 25 years as an Engineering Drafting Technician. He was a faithful member of the Sapulpa Church of the Nazarene where he served with his wife in the Sunday School Office, as a teacher, and part of the puppet ministry. He enjoyed spending time with his wife Linda and daughter Jamie traveling and serving others in organizations such as the Oklahoma Kids and Pre-Teen America.

He was a great husband, father, and grandfather. He will truly be missed. James loved to tell jokes and make up stories with his daughter and grandchildren’s names in them. His smile was contagious.

He is survived by his wife, Linda (Matzinger) Collins of the home; son-in-law and daughter Josh & Jamie (Collins) Hallford of Sapulpa, OK; and grandchildren Joshua Hallford and Jackson Hallford of Sapulpa. He is preceded in death by his grandmother Opal Tigert of Sapulpa, OK; dad James Ermal Rivers of Ottawa, IL; step father and mother Francis & Louise Matzinger of Sapulpa, OK.

Family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society for the Cattle Barons’ Ball which helps fund research for cancer, in honor of James and his daughter Jamies’ fight with cancer. American Cancer Society, Cattle Baron’s Ball, 4110 S. 100th E. Ave, Tulsa, OK 74146.

Family visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S. Main St. Sapulpa, OK. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene, 302 S. Elm St., Sapulpa, OK. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S. Main St, Sapulpa, OK.