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David B. Collins, Jr. Obituary There was nothing David Collins loved more than the ocean, and being out on it in his boat, rod at hand and reel ready, family and friends near. Nothing, that is, except his wife and children, whom he loved deeply and who returned that love in full. David Bruce Collins, Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina, died on July 21, 2024, aged 61. David was born in Athens, Georgia, to David Bruce Collins, Sr. and Renee Williamson Godwin. He grew up mostly in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, where he attended Myers Park High School, Central Piedmont Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, from which he graduated cum laude in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Continuing his education, David received his Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina at Columbia in 1993. Shortly thereafter, he was admitted to the bars of North and South Carolina and the federal courts in those jurisdictions. In 1996, he founded Collins Law Firm in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he practiced for the rest of his life, focusing on criminal defense, traffic, and personal injury law. He was, as well, a great mentor to several generations of young lawyers and lawyers-to-be. David was a member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church from the time he moved as a young man to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina until his death. He loved life and was passionate not only about the ocean and fishing but also about golf and music. He was a great guitar player and really loved playing acoustic folk music sing-alongs. More than anything, David loved his family dearly and adored his wife, Jana, and his children, Sarah and Dave. Watching his children excel in sports was his great joy, and he traveled all over the Southeast to see them play. David is survived by his wife of 21 years, Jana Hertel Collins; daughter, Sarah Morgan Collins; son, David Bruce Collins, III; mother, Renee Williamson Godwin and stepfather, Dr. Herman Allen Godwin, Jr. of Charlotte; brother, John Duren Collins and his partner, Hannah Peele, of Hillsborough, North Carolina; stepsister, Lois Convere McNichols (John) and stepbrother Martin Allen Godwin (Amy) both of Charlotte; and stepbrother, John Myers Godwin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and his dog friends, Newton and Onslow. David was predeceased by his father, David Bruce Collins, Sr. and stepsister, Sophie Elizabeth Sawyer. David will be buried on August 2nd at 11:30 AM at Lakeside Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina. The Rev. Charles A. Collins, Jr., Rector of St. Andrews Anglican Church, Savannah, Georgia, will officiate. Following the service, there will be an opportunity to visit with the family at the Cypress Inn, 16 Elm Street in Conway. It's easy to imagine David, moving out on the swells, the sun setting behind the dunes, bending to the pull of a fish, surrounded forever by those who love and were loved by him. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the charity of the donor's choice or to one or more of the following: A Helping Hand of Wilmington 5013 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. 615 Shipyard Boulevard Wilmington, NC 28412 New Hanover High School Football Booster Club, Inc., P.O. Box 7071 Wilmington, NC 28406

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David Bruce Collins Jr.

March 20, 1963 - July 21, 2024