Obituary of Hugh Howard Collins

Granger, Indiana—Hugh Howard Collins celebrated his life from January 10, 1957 until August 27, 2014. He died unexpectedly at his home. He was born in Kingsport, TN, the son of Joe and Estal Price Collins. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend to everyone. He was a graduate of Ketron High School, where he played varsity football. He graduated from East Tennessee State University, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and served as an officer. Later, he attended the University of Tennessee and Villanova University. He received a Master of Business Administration from Widener University. Since his parents died at an early age, Hugh worked his way through high school and college. Hugh worked as a healthcare executive for over 30 years. With his natural leadership abilities, he became the CEO of the Oxford Medical Valley Medical Center in Langhorne, PA; CEO of the Gila River Health Care Corporation in Phoenix, AZ; and was presently the CEO of the Franciscan Alliance, South Bend, IN. Throughout his career, he achieved many awards. In 2003, he was featured on the cover of Business Finance Magazine as young executive of the year. His motto was that anyone who worked hard enough could achieve the American Dream. Hugh became a Christian at a young age, and he served on various church committees and boards. He became a Boy Scout at a young age and continued to work as a leader with the Boy Scouts throughout his life. He was elated when his son Price became an Eagle Scout. He helped coach and sponsor various little league sports teams. He was proud of his memberships in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association, and the Advisory Board's Financial Leadership Council, where he was an officer. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and watching the UT Vols play football. Surviving are his wife Janet Smith Collins, Granger, IN; his two beloved children Price Collins, Knoxville, TN; and his daughter Katherine Collins, Chapel Hill, NC. He is survived by 4 siblings: Nina Collins Jones, Mary Collins Shortt husband Charles, and Jo McDavid all of Kingsport, TN; one brother Aaron Collins, Nashville, TN. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Karen and husband Larry Barton, Carlyle Park, MA; Kim Nelkin, Wilmington, DL; Diane and husband Mark Mateson, Chadds Ford, PA; brother-in-law Paul Smith and wife Hilary, Houston, TX. He is survived by one nephew Chris McDavid, Kingsport, TN, and three nieces Dr. Tiffany Taylor Owen, West Palm Beach, FL; Dr. Elizabeth Jones Snyder, Anderson, SC; and Rachel Jones, Gray, TN, and 4 great nieces, and his best friend from birth Gary Glen Godsey, Austin, TX. A visitation will be held at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport, TN, from 2-4 PM on Sunday followed by a celebration of his life at 4 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Mickey Rainwater. Friends may also call anytime at the residence of Nina Jones, 1009 Bard Lane, Kingsport, TN. Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Monday at East Lawn Cemetery. Friends and family will meet at Carter-Trent at 10 am and proceed to the cemetery. Pall bears will be Gary Godsey, Mike Stallard, Jeff Starnes, Rob Fleming, Chris McDavid, Greg Broome, Bill Foulks, Charles Shortt and Brian Snyder. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sequoyah Boys Scouts Council of America, 129 Boone Ridge Dr., Johnson City, TN, 37615 or memorials also may be made to Sullivan North High School 2533 John B. Denny Hwy., Kingsport, TN to support a Scholarship fund to be given annually that has been established in the name of Hugh Howard Collins. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Collins family.