Sgt James Stephen Collins Jr
Born: January 13, 1972
Died: August 28, 2007 in Iraq
Sgt. James Collins of Michigan grew up in Rochester Hills and was a 1990 graduate of Southfield Lathrup High School where he played 4 years of football and track. He attended Northwestern Michigan University in Traverse City, before obtaining a degree n Criminal Justice for Lake Superior State University where he graduated with honors. He was involved with a singing group called “The Madrigals” that traveled the world performing. He served in the United State Marine Corps. for 4 years before re-enlisting in the Army Reserves. Even as a child Jim loved the Military. On many occasions when he was young, he would check out the book on D-Day from the library and read it from cover to cover. His love for machinery goes back to his youth, when he would always take things apart and then put them back together. This passion continued in his military career, working on large trucks known as an ASV. He was considered an AGR, Active Guard Reservist, and served in the 303rd Military Police Company for combat support. He was always proud of being in the military, where he truly enjoyed the military structure – he was very patriotic. Sgt. Collins was extremely loyal, honorable and had an incredible work ethic. He enjoyed life to the fullest by working hard and playing hard. Family was of the utmost importance to him. Deep down he was a kind soft hearted man who would go to the ends of the earth to protect his loved ones. In May of 2007, he hosted a party at his home for all of his family. He was honored and thrilled to give his home for this family occasion. In his free time, Jim loved to hunt, water-ski, go hiking and watch the Red Wings. He and his best friend would spend time in Cadillac and northern lower Michigan hunting, hiking and spending time with family. Always at his side was his faithful companion “Sadie”, his lab who enjoyed nature as much as Jim did. His company was deployed to Iraq in September 2006 and charged with conducting convoy security operations there. Jim was a friendly laid-back guy who liked the Red Wings. He died in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations at age 35.
Army
Reserves
303rd Military Police Company
(Combat Support)
Jackson, Michigan
Burial is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan – Sec 74 Lot 122 Site 5
The Sgt James Stephen Collins Jr by Freedom Remembered, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
