Jack L. Collins' Obituary
Collins, Jack Lamar, 96 passed away and joined the Lord on May 14, 2025. Jack was born on December 2,1928 in Wauchula, Florida to William (Stacy) Collins and Leona Etta Bethea. He was the second eldest of four children and was preceded in death by his parents and his three siblings, William (Bill) Collins, Betty Collins Salts and Bobby Collins, who died at the age of 13. Jack graduated from Wauchula High School and went on to graduate from Florida State University (FSU) in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Business/Accounting. He met Evelyn Gustafson, his soon to be wife of almost 70 years at FSU. Upon graduation, Jack worked as a bank examiner at the Federal Deposit Insurance Company in Georgia and Alabama. He and Evelyn were married on July 23,1955 and they moved to St. Petersburg in 1956, where Jack joined Raymond H. Gustafson’s Accounting firm. When Raymond became ill, James Lang, Jack’s brother-in law, stepped in, combining his and Raymond’s accounting practices. The firm grew and later became Lang, Klanderman, Collins & McKelvey. In 1962, this firm and two others merged to form Tornwall, Lang & Lee, which became one of the larger and more predominant mid-size accounting firms with offices throughout Florida. Years later, Tornwall, Lang & Lee would merge with Grant Thornton, an international accounting firm. Jack was a life-time member of the Florida and American Institutes of CPA’s. He was past president, Legion of Honor recipient and member of the St. Petersburg Kiwanis Club for 62 years. He was a past member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Sun Coasters and member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Evelyn; three sons, Jack Jr. “Jay” (Patricia); Steven (Jane) and Richard; six grandchildren; Alyssa Collins, Mitchell Collins, Tanya Collins de Leon (Abe), Lindsay Collins Whelan (Mike), Shannon Collins Keogh (Kevin), and Taylor Collins; and four great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Jack’s love of the Lord and his Church, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church; 212 3rd St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or Hospice - Empath Health; 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 (directed to Mid Pinellas Magnolia Care Center). Funeral arrangements are being provided by Anderson McQueen with inurnment at Memorial Park Cemetery. For service details, visit www.andersonmcqueen.com & www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com
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