Michael Donald Collins

Michael Donald Collins, 70, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Piedmont hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on July 4, 2022.

Mikes celebration of life service will be held on 12:45 PM Saturday, July 23rd in Columbus, Georgia at East Highland United Methodist Church, 1301 17th St. Columbus, GA 31901 with Reverend Mark Sasser officiating. A reception will follow at Spring Harbor (Spring Harbor Dr. Columbus, GA 31904) in their ballroom from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Mike was born in Columbus, Georgia on April 9, 1952 at St. Francis Hospital. Mike attended Johnson Elementary, Richards Middle School, Riverside Military Academy and proudly graduated in the 1970 class from Columbus High School. After high school, Mike attended Columbus College where he made the Dean’s List numerous times and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business. Mike was also a lifetime member of East Highland United Methodist Church. As a child Mike had six years perfect attendance in Sunday school. Even on vacation he would get the program of the church he was visiting and have the Sunday school teacher sign it to keep that attendance record intact.

Mike was a member of Columbus Jaycees where he was awarded the 1977 Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award. Mike was very civic minded and a key member of the Georgia Republican Party for more than four decades heading campaigns for many local, state and national races. In 1984 he was voted the 3rd District Grass Roots Volunteer of the Year for the Reagan/Bush campaign. He was an entrepreneur, trying many ventures including opening the first ice skating rink in Columbus. Mike was also a successful gold and silver trader.

Mike found his true calling as a family man. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew and cousin. Family always came first. Mike married the love of his life Jenny in the summer of 1988. They were happily married for more than 34 years. Marrying Jenny he also took on two boys, Clay and Stuart, who he loved as his own. You could find Mike at whatever ball field that his sons were playing at that day. He was always the first volunteer for fundraisers and field improvement projects. Mike loved his mother Melba dearly and spoke with her daily. He was there for her whenever she needed anything. Mike loved and adored his sister Donna and his many cousins. Mike loved to spend time with his daughters in love and four grandchildren.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Donald Collins and his in laws, Gene and Mildred Mitchell.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Jenny Mitchell Collins, his mother, Melba Dean Collins Spurlock, his sister Donna Collins Hallman (Bill), his sons, Clay McCullohs (Anna) and Stuart McCullohs (Staci), his grandchildren; Collins, Benjamin, Claire and Andrew, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate blood or give to the American Red Cross (redcross.org). You can also make donations to the Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation, Piedmont Healthcare Foundation (Atlanta) or Piedmont Athens Regional.