Ricky Dean Collins
Published 9:16 am Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Ricky Dean Collins, 57, of Johnson City, formerly of Elizabethton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at his residence. He was the son of Darlene Stout Collins of Johnson City and the late Gary Kyle Collins. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James and Lillie Stout, and his paternal grandparents, Eston and Maxine Collins.
Mr. Collins was a graduate of Unaka High School and attended Walters State Community College where he played baseball. He started a career in law enforcement with the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. He continued to work in law enforcement with the Elizabethton Police Department, the ETSU Campus Police and the Johnson City Police Department, where he retired following 30 plus years of service. During his time at JCPD he worked with the Drug Task Force and the SWAT Team. After he retired, he returned to JCPD and was currently working as a training consultant.
He was also a former member of the Carter County Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, A.Q.H.A, A.P.H.A, N.R.H.A and the Liaison for the Tennessee Reining Horse Association.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 30 years, Vicki Lee Collins, of the home; a sister, Kay Collins, Johnson City; a niece, Seidena Malone, and her husband, Josh, Johnson City; two great-nephews, Collin Nidiffer and Kayson Malone, both of Johnson City; a great-niece, Everly Malone, Johnson City; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Helen Lee.
The service to honor the life of Ricky Dean Collins will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Dr. James Richardson and Chaplain Edward Jefferies officiating. Honor Guard will be provided by the Johnson City Police Department. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, and at the home of his mother at other times. Private disposition will be held at a later time. Honorary pallbearers will be his Brothers and Sisters of the Johnson City Police Department; Kim Birchfield, Randy Berry, Phil Caddell, Billy Patton and Buzz Martin. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the American Cancer Society, C/O Lou Cooter, 415 Washington Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Collins family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.