Ronald Dean Collins

Ronald Dean Collins, 87, began his next great adventure at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, 2019. He left this realm with his head resting by his wife’s side in their bed at their home here in Wimberley, Texas. Dean was “a little bit of Heaven.” He spent many days of his life adventuring, seeing the nation, and making his way as a rare find: a true, honest salesman. He was a true gem. In 1981, his rareness caught the eye of his beholder Mary Beth (Tinsley) Collins, his 74-year-old surviving wife, also now of Wimberley. “Just two lovers...” he said to his surviving daughter, Rae Deanna Collins, 36, at his bedside, just a few short hours before his departure.

That saying “They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore...” perfectly applies to R. Dean Collins, belovedly known as “Buck” by his closests in the latter years of his life. Buck lived his life fully. He adored his wife, he was a hard-working man, and an amazingly talented craftsman who paid attention to detail, took his time, and did things right the go ‘round. Buck loved big. He was loved big. His surviving granddaughter Tinsley Drae Collins, 12, a 6th-grade Wimberley Texan, was cherished by her Buck. They had this thing where they would just point to one another and say, “YOU’RE IT!” He was it, and with all that “it-ness,” he knew she was it: a legacy. Truly, any and all that knew Dean and were fortunate enough to be graced by his presence along his journey are part of his legacy. You walked away from him a changed person; he just had that effect. He was a proud man, never leaving his bedroom without being fully-dressed for the day’s adventures. One would always find him in a “goodlookin’” pair of Levi’s.

Some of Buck’s favorite pastimes were working for Levi’s, owning a Wicks ‘n’ Sticks store in Clackamas, Oregon with his best friend, lover and wife, Mary Beth, selling tools for Sears in Peoria, Illinois, and fishing with his dad in Wisconsin. His father, Ralph Dorr Collins, was an incredible artist who overcame polio and worked for Caterpillar drawing all of the equipment - and their functions - in the manuals for CAT’s products before machines took over for such jobs. “Dean” was born to Ralph and Leona Mae (Overman) Collins in Decatur, Illinois, on August 23, 1931, and he got all his class from Leona. She loved her boy greatly, and he loved his mother the same in return; he favored his mother in his looks. “Ron” was adored by his dad, as well, and he definitely favored his father in talents. They were quite the pair of artists and fishermen together. Dean graduated from East Peoria High School in 1949, and valued friend- and kinships his entire lifetime, even attending his 60th high school reunion in 2009, and keeping in contact with those close that had been on his path and stayed in his life, or the lives of his family.

Buck was wise and pretty quiet, only speaking his simple truths. When he spoke, you listened.

“Life is short, so slow it down if you can.”

“If we can help you in any way, babe, just let us know.”

“You did real good.”

“What a dandy!”

“If when you die you have two real-close friends, you are lucky.”

“I’m awful proud of ya, hun.”

He was also funny, quite the tease, and endlessly enjoyed watching The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune. His smile exuded his soul and could only be outshined by the chuckle that followed that grin. And when he chewed gum or ate a Werther’s or began sneezing or got a tune stuck in his head, one was truly in for a show! “Dean-o Marteeno” was a protector, a helper, a big kid, a collector, a dog-lover, and so much more. He was outer-worldly while here, so there is no doubt he is now home again. He is missed every day we no longer get to hear him say “I love you.” If we listen real close, though, we can feel him whisper those words (and even more wisdom) into our hearts, softly, through the rustle of winds. We can feel his strength in a solid, sturdy Oak. We can feel his carefree nature when the sunlight hits the river just right. We can feel his passion and share his sensibility when gathered with those close while fireside. We can feel him because he was a great teacher who taught us well. Simply put: Mr. Collins was a great man. He was a gentlemen, and all that loved him were lucky, because he loved them right back. Unforgettable, he is. Unforgettable, he will remain.

Also surviving the loss of RDCIII are his son Michael Collins, grandson Sean Collins (both of Louisiana) and daughter Tracy Collins (of Arizona), brother-in-law Joseph Kenny Tinsley (of Bryan, Texas), and niece Mary Kathryn (Tinsley) Gardner (of Clear Lake Shores, Texas).

Dean was a giver, so “his girls” simply ask that you kindly make a contribution in his name to Texas Children’s, St. Jude’s, Alzheimer’s Texas, American Heart Association, and/or the Foundation for Lakota Children of St. Joseph’s Indian School of South Dakota. Rather than a funeral or service, his wife, daughter and granddaughter are making humble plans to spread his ashes where they feel closest to their husband, dad and grandpa. They see a cross-country train trip in their very near future, and nothing could make Buck happier than that.

We thank all those who have reached out with cards, meals, flowers, hugs, love and support. A special piece of gratitude goes to the folks of Bluebonnet Hospice, Circle of Friends and PTRC, here in Wimberley. Thanks for being Buck’s friends, and ours.

We love you, Buck.

A bushel and a peck,

Buck Up, Buck Wild, and Handsome, Young Buck

(AKA: Mary Beth, Rae Deanna, and Tinsley Drae Collins)