Gary Neal Collins, 66

Graveside services for Gary Neal Collins, 66, of Dora, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Ball Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Mr. Collins died Oct. 26 at his home. 

He was born Feb. 5, 1954, in West Plains, the son of Walter Neal and Juanita Wanda Hambelton Collins. On April 20, 1973, in Gainesville, he married Connie Lynn Smith.

After graduating from Dora High School in 1972, Mr. Collins attended Auto Mechanics Technical School in Springfield. After completing that training, he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and later in Chevrolet dealerships. 

In 1981, he moved his family to Kingfisher, Oklahoma, to get rich in the oil fields. It didn’t take him long to decide that money wasn’t everything, so he packed up his family and returned to the hills and hollars near Dora. 

He was a long-time employee at Stewart’s Construction in West Plains and was a farmer his whole life. He enjoyed his farm, camping, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. 

He is survived by Connie Collins, his wife of 47 years; one daughter, Tracy Lovan and husband Kelly of Pottersville; one son, Matthew Collins of Dora; five grandchildren, Kendall, Connor and Raylee Lovan, and Mason and Clayton Collins; one brother, Bradley Collins and wife Mary of Dora; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Maggie and Gene Newton, Shirley Hambelton, Joel and Lynda Smith, and Sharon and Don Wilson; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Timothy Collins; and one grandson, Brayden Collins. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House or Ball Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, director.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423