Francis “Keith” Collins passed away June 20, 2019 at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington due to complications associated with pancreatic cancer.
Keith was born on February 16, 1961 in Ogden, Utah to Jonny and Mary Collins.
Keith grew up in Washington state before moving to Missouri, where he played football and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1979. Keith attended the University of Central Missouri before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Keith served 4 years, mainly in Germany.
Upon his return stateside he secured a job at Quoizel lighting in New York and traveled to China for them. Keith then returned to Missouri for a short time before calling Washington state his home.
Keith was an adventurous person who loved the great outdoors. He loved mining for gold in Alaska, fishing, hunting, sunrises, sunsets and any other reason to be outside. He was often found with a cup of coffee close at hand. He was quite the romantic and loved to make other people happy.
He loved his family and loved kids. He himself was a big kid at heart and took the time to smell the roses and pick up that special rock. Some people talk of adventures, Keith had them! He traveled, saw and enjoyed the beauty of many places. His flair for life and will to live life to its fullest will never be forgotten.
Keith was preceded in death by his grandparents of both sides, his father, many aunts and uncles as well as several cousins.
Keith is survived by his fiancée Elisa Bennett of Sequim, Washington; son Austin Nixon of Springfield, Missouri; his mother Mary Collins of Elkland, Missouri; brother Robert “Bob” Collins of Elkland, Missouri; brother Edgar Dean Collins and Holly of Mountain View, Hawaii; sister Cathy Taylor and Paul of Winterset, Iowa; niece Shawna Owensby and Mike of Springfield, Missouri; niece Melissa Collins and Conner of Bonney Lake, Washington, great-nephews Jonathan and Jesse Hawkins of Springfield, Missouri; great-niece Luna Reign Burke of Bonney Lake Washington; and many other relatives, loved ones and friends.
A memorial service will be held in Missouri, at a later date.
Condolences may be left on his online guest book at www.lindefuneralservice.com and / or at http://memorial.yourtribute.com/Francis-Keith-Collins/.
