Michael Charles Collins, 80, of Athens, Texas, returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on November 8, 2024.

Mike was born on January 30, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, to Nick and Elizabeth Collins.

Mike met Sharron King, an identical twin, in his 8th grade algebra class. They attended W.W. Samuel High School together, graduating in 1962. Mike studied History and Government at Southern Methodist University, and he and Sharron were married on August 21,1965.

After graduation, Mike began his career as an educator at Dallas Academy, a school for children with special needs. The family then moved to Athens, Texas, in 1975 where he served as a special education counselor for Athens ISD and surrounding districts.

Mike earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education as well as a counseling certification, eventually becoming a guidance counselor at Athens High School where he served until his retirement in 2003.

In early 1997, Mike lost Sharron to a tragic car accident. After walking that hard road, God had a plan to make joy out of ashes. He and Lisa Lowe began dating that next year and were married on June 20, 1998.

Mike’s faith and family were very important to him. On Sunday mornings he could usually be found serving quietly at church, most recently as cameraman, filming the service for the online broadcast.

Mike dearly loved his family, counseling and shepherding both his children and Lisa’s. He was known as “Grandaddy Mike” to his nine grandchildren, holding superhero status as a joker, teller of tall tales, and golf guru. He loved being in the mountains of Colorado and playing golf with friends and family, and he would want you to know that he shot a 78 in his last round of golf in September.

Mike is preceded in death by his first wife, Sharron, and his parents, Nick and Elizabeth Collins. He is survived by his wife Lisa; his brother Bill Collins and wife Margaret; his daughter Katie Donaldson and husband Steve; his son Christopher Collins and wife Missy; his stepdaughter Lani Caffey and husband Matt; his stepson Tyler Lowe and wife Jackie; and his nine grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23, at First Baptist Church Athens, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, Mike requested donations be made to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, of which Mike was a longtime committee member.