Frederick Paul Collins

Frederick Paul Collins was born on November 7, 1963, to Marden Lee and Addie Lela Collins at Riverside General Hospital in Houston, Texas.  Paul attended school in the Third Ward community and graduated from Jack Yates Senior High School in 1982.  He pursued a career in security services, working for several companies throughout the Greater Houston area. He also worked for the Texas Department of Justice as a corrections officer at facilities in Rosharon, Beaumont, and Galveston, Texas.  He was most recently employed by the Holiday Inn Corporation in Houston where he was a valued employee and member of their work family.

Paul enjoyed sports and was an armchair commentator.  He was a diehard Houston Oilers “Luv Ya Blue” fan and later Tennessee Titans fan, who was always ready to suit up and take the field if ever they needed him.  Paul also loved music.  Growing up, he was a big fan of Bootsy Collins and Michael Jackson; but as he got older, his taste in music changed.   His brother, Clyde, introduced him to jazz artists whom he referred to as the “big league;” and Paul soon became an aficionado of smooth, contemporary jazz.  He amassed an incredible collection of albums, cassettes, and cd’s.  He could literally “name that tune” just by hearing a few bars or lyrics of a song.  He also had a large television show collection, with some of his favorite shows being Lost In Space and Star Trek.  Paul was also a video game champion.  He spent many weekends playing Madden and other sports games with his nephew Kendrick, or hanging out with Clyde and his wife, Beverly, at his home-away-from-home.

Paul and Clyde were “thick as thieves,” and they had a brotherly love that withstood all adversities and quarrels.  He always tried to emulate his two brothers, Don Ray and Clyde.  Paul had a wonderful sense of humor that could pick you up, even from your lowest point, often imitating family and celebrities.  He showed concern for his siblings at every possible opportunity.  He was extremely private and kept to himself; but he loved his family and we truly loved him. 

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Marden Lee Collins, Jr., and Wendell Collins; one sister, Addie Elizabeth (Betty) Simpson, with whom he was very close; and one niece, Luciana Yvette Handy.  He leaves to mourn his passing his siblings: Don Ray Powell, Vivian Lincoln, Frances Ann Stewart, Clyde Anthony Collins (Beverly), Pam Benoit (Rodney) and Priscilla Powell; his nephews: Ronald II, Kendrick, Rodney Jr. (Eva), and Marden; nieces: Jeanette, Monica, Donna, Sheniqua, Ashley, Kristiana (Gregg), Tamara (Tommie), Kimberley, Hanice (Michael), and Chelsea (he was especially fond of Kendrick, Ron, Kristiana and Kim); an always faithful aunt, Georgia Faye Kizzee; an uncle Captain Kizzee (Rudell), and a host of other relatives and friends.