Vernon Lee Collins, 95, of Bethany, OK died March 25, 2026. He was born on February 28, 1931, to Tom and Ophelia Collins in Whitesboro, Texas. He married Francis Lucille (Lucy) Wilson on June 20,1948 and had three children.

Vern attended Bethany Peniel College. He worked as an Automobile Mechanic and had a car dealership in Bethany in the 1960s where he sold DKWs (later Audi), Saab and Sunbeams. He owned and operated Vern Collins Service Center and Vern Collins Motor Company. Even after retirement people continued to bring their cars to him for service. He also taught his siblings, children and grandchildren how to work on their cars.

Vern and Lucy enjoyed RV traveling and mission trips to South America to build churches.

After Lucy's death, Vernon met Claudetta at a dinner after church and with encouragement from her friends they began to date. They were married on December 29, 1990. They celebrated their 35th anniversary in December 2025. He was an avid fisherman, fishing in places like Red River, New Mexico, Canada and Alaska. He and his second wife, Claudetta, traveled by RV to many of these places and often spent time in the winter months in Yuma, AZ where they camped with her brothers and sisters.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ophelia Collins; and siblings, Juanita Kersey and her husband Gordon, Mary Lou Collins, Tommy Hoffman and her husband John, and Donald Collins. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Lucy Collins.

Vern is survived by his loving wife, Claudetta; his children and stepchildren, Gene Collins and his wife Kathy, Ken Collins and his wife Pam, Angela Jackson, Rick Martin and his wife Susan, Lori Calfy and her husband Mike. He is also survived by two siblings, his brother, Royce Collins and his wife Estella, and his sister, Joyce Johnson; his grandchildren, Chris Collins and his wife Laura, Jamie Baze, Chad Collins and his wife Merideth, Kirsten McCartney and her husband Colin, Heidi Benoit and Kyah Hoffman, Johnny Keeter, McKenzie Keeter, Madalynn Martin, Ryan Martin and his wife Toni, Amy Calfy, Leanne Calfy and David Calfy. Vern also had 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 29 from 1-3pm at Mercer Adams. 3925 N Asbury, Bethany, OK. Funeral services will be Monday, March 30 at 10am at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene Atrium, 6789 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK with Lewis McClain officiating.