James Darwin Collins

James Darwin Collins passed away at his home in Callahan surrounded by his family. He was born on July 15, 1932 in San Francisco to Oma and James Collins. He moved to Scott Valley when he was in 6th grade and attended Greenview Elementary and Etna High School. It was in high school that he met his future wife, Bonnie Fowler. After High School he attended Humboldt State, majoring in English with a math minor. During his sophomore year of college he married Bonnie, on November 19, 1951. This November would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. Jim continued his education at UC Berkeley where he received his Master’s degree in English. He joined the faculty at College of the Siskiyou’s the year the college first opened in 1957, and taught his entire career there, retiring in 1995. While teaching at COS he continued his education in Bloomington Indiana, and Tallahassee Florida at Florida State University. He received a sabbatical and took his family to Florida for a year as a PHD candidate. Jim was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, hiking, fishing and camping. Hiking into mountain lakes with his family was one of his favorite past times. He enjoyed cutting wood, and took his (sometimes reluctant) children out early in the morning to get a big load. Jim enjoyed snow skiing and got the whole family hooked. He liked playing chess and cards, photography, reading, poetry, news and staying abreast of what was happening in the world. After Jim retired from College of the Siskiyou’s he and Bonnie moved to Callahan in 1996 and built a house on the property where Bonnie’s father, Glen Fowler, had lived. He adored his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved family gatherings and celebrating the holidays. He is survived by his beloved wife Bonnie, his daughter Lynda Collins-Barnett and his son Mark Collins. His daughter Teryl Mallory predeceased him. Jim had six grandchildren, Courtney Hansen, Shannon Todd, Kirsten Collins, Stephanie Robillard, and Alex Collins. He left five great-grandchildren, Hayden Hansen, Scarlett Hansen, Olivia Hansen, Presley Todd and Josiah Todd. Jim was a storyteller, and his family will always remember his “goobledegook” stories, his dry sense of humor and his kindness. James Darwin Collins, aka “Jas-D”, “Revered Grandsire”, “Little Grandpa” and “Big” (to Bonnie’s “Little”), will be remembered with love by family and friends.

James Darwin Collins

July 15, 1932 - October 4, 2020