James Roy Collins

James Roy Collins, "Jim" passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 90. As a faithful Christian, he now walks the golden paved streets of Heaven, praising the Lord. He was born on November 8, 1934 in El Paso, Texas, to his parents Marie and Roy Collins. He had one sibling, Beverly who died in 1954 in an automobile accident. In his early years, following high school he moved to California's central coast where he worked on local farms and ranches, tending bar and eventually took a job working on the railroad up and down the coastline as a switch operator and fireman. He put himself through college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, graduating with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture Engineering and proudly designed a produce conveyor. He has three children Joel, Janel and Neil from a previous marriage. In 1971 he moved to Visalia. He established himself as a banker at United California Bank, and later controller and HR at Bowsmith Manufacturing Co in Exeter. Throughout his career he sought to improve the lives of others in his community, supporting them with financial means and by his natural talent for mentoring anyone who would let him into their lives. He also gave his time with Boys and Girls Club of Exeter for several years. He was in Visalia downtown Kiwanis and Rotary while he was working. Jim and Marlene found each other, fell in love, and then married on May 9, 1981. Jim joined with her to raise her two children, DJ and Kari as if they were his own. They enjoyed their lives over the past 44 years frequently visiting their second home in Grover Beach. They shared four grandchildren...Mikaila, Sean, Kyan and Jordyn. Jim was a recent member of Visalia Christian Reformed Church and loved his new church family. It was his commitment to Jesus and the church that gave him so much fulfillment. He served many roles in his previous church providing financial oversight, serving as a church elder and through fellowship, including co-leadership of a Men's Bible Study group at First Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He had a passion for life and loved spending time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He loved hiking and one of his favorite destinations was Roaring River, but his most special trip was taking Marlene to the summit of Mt. Whitney. He also expressed his enjoyment of life through cooking with his son, Neil on yearly ski and golf trips with the "Breckenridge Boys." Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

James Roy Collins

November 8, 1934 - April 1, 2025