James Richard Collins
FAYETTE — James Richard Collins, 94, of Fayette passed away peacefully at his home on February 15, 2024. Jim was born in Fairport on March 23, 1929 to a large family of 12 siblings. The Collins family later moved to the Burnt Bluff farm in Fayette. As a teenager, Jim attended Holy Name Catholic High School in Escanaba. This required him to live in Escanaba and work for his room and board. During his sophomore year, he worked as a bellhop at the House of Ludington where guests would tip him a quarter to carry their luggage. In later years, he worked at a local vet’s office. Once, when the vet was out of town, Jim took it upon himself to perform emergency surgery on an injured dog. The dog survived, but Jim did not feel a calling to veterinarian medicine. After graduation, Jim worked as a mechanic and completed an agriculture program at MSU before returning to Fayette to help his parents with the farm.
On June 1, 1957, Jim married the former Ione Rochefort of Fayette. Together they raised nine children and successfully managed the farm for many years. Jim was valued in the farming community for his considerable mechanical skills, and he had ample opportunity to use them on temperamental farm equipment.
After Jim’s oldest son, Ron, took over the farm, Jim stayed on as consultant. He also tried to act as consultant in Ione’s kitchen but that didn’t go over so well. Luckily, Jim soon developed an interest in gardening and that kept him very busy in the spring and summer. His family, friends, and neighbors greatly enjoyed his bountiful sweet corn, tomatoes, and squash. Shortly before his death, he was preparing to order the tomato seeds for this year’s crop.
Jim will be fondly remembered for his keen intelligence, homemade “sticky” rolls, and formidable Yahtzee skills. After Ione passed away in 2021, Jim continued to play Yahtzee against himself, and many times he won. Most importantly, Jim and Ione will be remembered for the joyful family gatherings they hosted at the farm. In fact, this is their greatest legacy — creating a home that their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren want to return to. “Grandpa on the farm” will be greatly missed.
He is survived by five siblings and his nine children: Mary Ries (David), Regina Pruzina (Steven), Corrine Drom (Dan), Ron Collins (Belinda), Richard Collins (Beth), John Collins (Deborah), Teresa Collins (Mike Rinke), Amy Germain (Tim), and David Collins (Eymard Galang). He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and his beloved wife of 64 years, Ione Rochefort Collins.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Fairbanks Township Hall on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of sending flowers, please plant a tomato seed in Jim’s memory.
Fausett Family Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.