Bruce Collins

Elon-Bruce Eugene Collins, 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and beloved son in the arms of his wife surrounded by his family on Friday, January 26, 2018 at his home. He was born in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Jack Hill Collins and Frances "Sweetie" Waters Odom. He was the husband of 47 years to Mary Jo Ashby Collins who survives.
Bruce retired as the plant manager for Alamance Foods and was a member of Riverside Baptist Church. He graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1961 and received an associate's degree from Pitt Community College. Bruce, along with his wife, was the co-founder of The Duffy Collins Organ Transplant Foundation. He was an avid Tar Heel and Nascar fan, was a certified scuba diver and enjoyed playing the trumpet. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife Mary Jo, especially to beach music. Bruce loved life and loved to have, as he coined it, a "Large Time". Bruce also played a vital role in the lives of two young men, enabling them to succeed in their dreams and career.
Survivors include his dear wife and love of his life, Mary Jo Ashby Collins of the home; brother, Jack Hill Collins, Jr. and wife, Dianne of Lake Junaluska and a special cousin, Robert Ricks and wife, Mary Bruce of Rocky Mount; his canine kids "Sir Boogie" and "Lady Shag" along with special family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Christopher Duffy Collins; parents and step father, Johnie O. Odom; sons, Samuel Wayne Collins and Bruce E. Collins, Jr. and a brother, Mitchell L. Collins.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice for all their compassion and support for Bruce and his family.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Bob Stephenson and the burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:30-7:30pm at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Duffy Collins Organ Transplant Foundation, 680 Huntingdon Street, Elon, NC 27244.
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a well preserved body but rather a skid sideways totally used up saying Whoo- Hoo what a ride." Words to live by, Bruce Collins.

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