Thomas W. Collins

Thomas W. Collins, age 87, passed away February 21, 2022, following a long illness.

Tom was born in Dayton, Ohio, January 5, 1935, the second of twin sons to Robert and Mary K Collins. 

He spent his early years in the Dayton area, graduating from Englewood High School where he was active in Band, Choir, the Debate Club, and the National Honors Society. 

Next, he was a scholarship student at University of Miami (Ohio) where he was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree. Following this he was a teaching assistant at the University of Arkansas and received a Master of Music degree. A few years later he studied in France and earned a DMA degree from the University of Missouri. 

He then had a successful career in higher education for 41 years before retiring from College of the Ozarks after 33 years of service. 

In addition to teaching, he was active in professorial and civic organizations and was a long-time member and past president of the Missouri Music Teacher Association, the Branson Daybreakers Rotary Club, and the Taneyhills Library Club. He was also a member of Branson Masonic Lodge #587. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Mary K Collins; his twin brother, Jerome; and his wife, Roxana. 

He is survived by a son, Robert (Kelly) Collins of Syracuse, New York; a daughter, Sara (Steve) Scanlon of Overland Park, Kansas; and a brother, William Collins of Bradenton, Florida. He is also survived by stepdaughter, Wendula McLean of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two stepsons: Derek (Patricia) McLean of Nixa, Missouri, and Brooke (Maria) McLean of Shalimar, Florida; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and finally, Toby, a much beloved Jack Russell. 

After his retirement in 2000, Tom was blessed to become a snowbird and spent the next twenty winters in Florida, where he enjoyed good friends, beautiful beaches, wonderful food, and sunny, warm weather at 

his lovely condo. 

Tom was very fortunate that the span of his life matched the US during its greatest period. From FDR who led us out of The Depression and guided us during WWII to Harry Truman who gave us the GI Bill and Marshall Plan. From LBJ achieving voting rights and Medicare. Obama led the way to the ACA and Joe Biden conquered the COVID 19 epidemic. This was truly America at its greatest. 

Tom's greatest achievement was his long career as a church organist, more than seventy years, including thirty-nine years at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church. He always said that God gave him a little talent and many years to improve. 

His celebration of life service will be Saturday the 26th of February at 10:00 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.