Vernon Henry Collins

Vernon was born in Lacombe, AB on October 25, 1935. He suffered for quite a few years with dementia and passed away peacefully on April 26, 2003.

Vern leaves behind his family, Gary (Rochelle), Jeffrey (Eva), Colleen; grandchildren, Payton, Chloe and Jack. His great grandchildren, Duncan, Colton, Autumn, as well as one great-great grand child Emery. His sisters Iris Baker (Lawrence) of Camrose and Madalene Kinley of Calgary; and half-brother, Alan Wood.

Vern was previously deceased by his parents, Ira and Hazel Collins; step-father, John Taylor; sisters, Shirley, Darlene, and Eunice; and grandson, Terry, by two days.

Vern was the second oldest of 7 children born to Ira and Hazel Collins.  He graduated from Western Canada High School in Calgary after spending his younger years at the Wood’s Christian Home in Bowness, AB where he was on the board and wrote a book about the WCH called "Children of the Storm". Vern owned a very successful business in Calgary after graduating from SAIT with mapping and surveying for several oil companies and the government.  A career draftsman most of his life, Vern formed Collins Geodraft in the late 1970s.  At one time he had 32 employees. We were all very proud of him.

Vern was a member of the reserve artillery army for many years. He was dedicated to the Canadian Legion for many years also. He was also the President of the Square Dance Association in Calgary where he spent most of his teen and adult life. He had many friends that he made during these years and beyond.

Vern loved to dance and travelled many miles to dance. Vern had a passion for square dancing and was a permanent fixture of the square dance community he loved so much. His artistic pursuits also encompassed many forms of visual art. A true folk artist, Vern pursued art in many forms throughout his life and was always creating something from whatever resources he had.  Painting and carving were among his favourite methods. Vern was always involved in many groups helping to organize events.  When he wasn’t pursuing his passions in art and dance, he enjoyed a great love affair with the outdoors and often camped throughout the summer months. In everything he did, there was a level of drive that afforded great success. Some have called him “the consummate salesman”.

One of Vern’s greatest enduring legacies was the creation of a nature preserve to save the last stand of easterly most Douglas firs along the Bow River south of Bowness Park and east of the Wood's Home. He did a lot of charitable work for the Wood's Home, where he spent several years as a child.

A Funeral Service for Vern will be held on May 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Highway 2A, Lacombe, with interment at Fairview Cemetery, in the Veteran's Section.

Vern will be truly missed by many. 

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