Winston Thomas Collins

Winston was born May 6, 1936 in Houston, Texas, to Bessie Virginia Farmer Collins and George Thomas Wharton Collins III. He graduated from Reagan High School in 1954, where he was a boxer, a thespian and lettered in swimming. He married his high school sweetheart Beverly Ann Games in 1955. He called her “Pixie”. After 8 years of night school while working full time and raising two young children, he graduated from the University of Houston with a BS degree in Physics. The patriarch of the family, Winston is survived by his loving wife Beverly, along with his children, son Russell Winston Collins and his wife Cathy, daughter Gaylynn Collins O’Conner and her husband Mark, daughter Joy Collins Rogers and her husband Woodson, and former son in law John Daniel Schiller Jr. and his wife Kristi. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, John Daniel Schiller III and former daughter in law Veronica, Hailey Amanda Schiller and her husband Russell Kelley, Winston William Collins and his wife Sarah, Travis Geoffrey Collins and his wife Amy, Brandon Russell Collins and his wife Mindy, Stephanie Marissa Collins Morrison and her husband Jake, Blain Thomas Rogers and his fiancé Patricia, and Jack Collin Rogers. Winston was also blessed with seven great grandchildren, Lydia Schiller, Weston Collin Kelley, Victoria Ryan Schiller, John Daniel Schiller IV, Warden Solomon Collins, Hattie Eileen Collins and James Winston Collins. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, as well as his sisters Norma Gentry and Betty Collins. Winston was a long-time member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In Garland, Texas, he spent many years as a Deacon and an Elder at First Christian Church Garland. There, he taught “The Followers” Sunday school class, and he and Beverly gained lifelong, cherished friendships from the relationships they cultivated there. Later in life, when they moved back to Houston, Winston and Beverly joined Cypress Creek Christian Church, where they were active members of the “Primetimers” group, and they developed more treasured friendships there. After a lengthy and gratifying outside sales career at PPG Industries and Valspar Corporation, Winston retired. In retirement, Winston and Beverly traveled the world together. He loved cruising to amazing destinations, buying art, gambling aboard the ships, dancing the night away, and tasting the delightful food and drink that each port of call had to offer. Winston was known as a master games player, dominating family game night as well as several bridge clubs and dominoes (42) groups. He and Beverly belonged to the River Oaks Dance Club, where they enjoyed ball room dancing at The Petroleum Club in Houston for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to fish, especially with his grandchildren. He and Beverly spent many summers vacationing at the Frio River with their family, eventually owning a cabin there, at the Frio Cielo Ranch. One of his favorite things to do was to follow his grandchildren’s sporting events, especially rooting for the Sam Houston State University Bearkats baseball team, where his grandson Jack currently plays. Everyone will hear “Let’s Go JR!” from heaven now! Winston will always be remembered for his booming voice, incredible smile, and his unmistakable laugh. The room would light up when he walked in, and people naturally gravitated to him. He was a masterful storyteller, as well as an avid reader and movie watcher. Winston believed that enthusiasm was one of the most important characteristics that a person could have, and he maintained his positive attitude until the end. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Cypress Creek Christian Church, located at 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, Texas 77379. A reception will follow immediately afterward at the church. Flowers are welcomed, but in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Citizens for Animal Protection, www.cap4pets.org, where he and Beverly adopted their best friend, Pudge.

Winston Thomas Collins

May 6, 1936 - February 18, 2020