James C. Collins, Jr.
Jim Collins, 79, passed away on September 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas, from suspected cardiac arrest. He was born on June 10, 1941, in Dallas, Texas, to James C. Collins, Sr. and Katie Porter Blakey Collins. He was the oldest of three children, and the only brother to younger sisters Molly and Becky. He was a descendent of Lemuel Stockton Blakey, who was one of the seven soldiers killed in the Battle of San Jacinto during Texas’ War for Independence. Growing up in Ennis, he was on the inaugural baseball team for Ennis High School, where he served as captain his senior year. He graduated from Ennis High School in 1959, and relocated to Dallas, Texas, to attend Southern Methodist University. He graduated from SMU in 1963 with a degree in engineering. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from SMU in 1966. While obtaining his Master’s Degree, he began his 53 year career at SMU as a professor in the School of Engineering from 1964 to 1972. He then moved to SMU’s esteemed Cox School of Business in the Information Technology and Operations Management Department. He remained there until 2017 when he retired as Professor Emeritus. He was a beloved educator and colleague, and during his tenure at SMU, touched the lives of thousands of students who took his courses. A resident of University Park, TX for over 50 years, he formed a strong bond with the staff and owners of several Snider Plaza restaurants, especially Cisco Grill where he had a special table with his name on it, Amore Italian Restaurant where he had a reserved booth, and Peggy Sue BBQ where his photo hung on the wall. He had lunch with his best friend and cousin, Mallory Collins, and his wife Sally, in Snider Plaza every Saturday. Jim’s four loves of his life were his family, SMU, cars and golf. He was an avid golfer and often traveled to California, Colorado and Florida to play specific courses, as well as many courses in Texas. He spent summers in Breckenridge, CO, for over 25 years, where he would play golf every day, and where he enjoyed sharing his house with visiting family. His biggest joys in life were his daughter Sally, his two granddaughters Caroline and Lucy, and his new great-granddaughter Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his parents, Katie and James C. Collins, Sr. He is survived by his daughter, Sally F. Collins, and her husband, Rodger E. Collins; granddaughters Elizabeth L. “Lucy” Collins, and Caroline F. Collins Hoff and her husband, Tyler Hoff, and great-granddaughter Charlotte F. Hoff, his sisters, Margaret Collins “Molly” Layton, and Rebecca Collins “Becky” Ingram; best friend and cousin G. Mallory Collins, Jr. and his wife Sally B. Collins; and many other beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A private family memorial service will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.
