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James Douglas Collins (Doug), died peacefully in his home in Attapulgus, Ga., on Friday, February 11, 2022. He was 81 years old. Doug was born on December 4, 1940, in Cairo, to James Malachi and Eunice Miller Collins, both of whom proceeded him in death, as did his brother, Winton Earl Collins.

Doug grew up all over Southwest Georgia, attending grade school and most of high school in Moultrie and graduating in Bainbridge. He was quite the athlete, lettering in both baseball and basketball and ultimately recruited to play soccer at Stetson University, where he attended on a music scholarship. Doug transferred from Stetson to Norman College with a choral scholarship, played for the Norman baseball team and worked for Bridgeport Brass in Moultrie. While at Norman he met the love of his life, Linda Hill, in 1960. One year later they married and moved to Atlanta where Doug attended night school at Georgia State, earning a degree in business administration, all while raising two young sons and working full time at the Federal Reserve Bank. While at the Fed he was chosen to attended IBM School and was in the ground floor installation division and programed their first data processing system. In addition, he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at the church they attended. After graduating from GSU, he took a position with Tallahassee Bank & Trust, implementing computer automation. His next opportunity riding the computer automation ebb would bring Doug and Linda back to Moultrie. The World-wide uniform company, Riverside Manufacturing, was automating and Doug was hired to install the IBM processing center. He would remain with Riverside for over two decades, and later, after relocating the family to Peachtree City, Ga., Doug obtained both his insurance and real estate licenses.

Despite these achievements, if you asked Doug what his greatest accomplishment was, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that it was being a father of four and a grandfather of seven. He never missed an opportunity to coach his children in baseball and softball. As a grandfather, he was attentive, joyful and playful.

Those that knew Doug best know that he was a talented musician, gifted with a beautiful baritone voice and a wonderful trumpet player. He had an incredible sense of humor and was quite the story teller. A meal with Doug was filled with tales of his youth as he recounted exciting times water skiing on the Flint River with his friends and the mischievous pranks they played on one another.

Doug was a devout Christian his entire life, never wavering in his faith. His last twenty years he and Linda have been members of First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, where Doug served as a Deacon and the two taught the special friends class and both sang in the chancel Choir. He was not ashamed to share his faith in God with others, and undoubtedly helped many souls find the Lord during his time on Earth.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of Attapulgus, his sister Janet Naso (Jacksonville, Fla.) his sons Mike Collins and wife Polly (Moultrie, Ga.), Rick Collins and wife Carolyn (Bainbridge, Ga.), Russ Collins and wife Teresa (Newnan, Ga.), and daughter, Lyn Briggs and husband Shannon (Mooresville, N.C.). Other survivors include his seven grandchildren, Richard, Nathan, Katie, Malachi, Ryan, Drew and Luke.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 15 at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Bainbridge. Pallbearers were Richard Collins, Nathan Collins, Malachi Collins, Ryan Collins, Shannon Briggs and Cameron Johnson.

The family received friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 1030 Boxwood Drive, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)