Frederick Alexander "Al" "Alex" Collins

Frederick Alexander Collins, (aka "Alex)
Frederick Alexander Collins, (aka "Alex), age 67, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, died on Monday, June 8, 2020, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Al was born to Charles Frederick "Fred" and Mildred "Millie" (Pryor) Collins on May 18, 1953 in Brookfield, MO. He died from natural causes at St. Luke's Hospital on the Plaza in Kansas City, MO on June 8, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.
Alex was the first born, and probably the orneriest of four children. We're pretty sure Grandma was glad she had only one boy! During his younger years, before cell phones, he was known to hop a train or hitchhike from Brookfield and Chillicothe, MO to points beyond without telling his parents. He loved to surprise his sisters, Vickie and Donna. He would ask them to do something for him and in exchange they would get a surprise. They complied and he would reply, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" then laugh and laugh. (He watched too much Gomer Pyle, USMC).
Al received his GED education and enlisted in the US Navy on March 8, 1971. He was stationed on the USS America in the Mediterranean Sea as an aircraft mechanic. While in the Navy, he earned the National Defense Service Medal. After his discharge he worked in Nebraska and Colorado as a lineman for 15 years, mainly working the hotlines. A vehicle accident ended his career as a lineman.
Alex's hobbies were carpentry, drawing and painting. He hand painted billboard signs near the Brush and Ft. Morgan, CO areas. We remember dad painting a snapping turtle, Zap, for a race. We don't remember if Zap won but he was the coolest looking turtle there! He crafted one of a kind Halloween costumes for us. In his shop, he made beds and an amazing NASA space capsule treehouse for us kids. Al had a wild ornery side to him, enjoyed jokes and had a great sense of humor. During a trip to Mark Twain Caves with his kids, Carrie Ann and Cody, he disappeared from the group unnoticed until he popped over the edge of the cave yelling "RAWR". Scared the kids and the tour guide was not amused. We also attribute our love of animals to our dad as he brought us many animals throughout our childhood. I now have his cat, Critter. Letter writing with drawings on the envelopes and letters were natural for dad. His favorite characters were M&M's, Convict Clay and the most popular, Bloodshot. He sent two of his M&M drawings to the Mars Company in which they replied he should go through a talent agency and gave him a coupon for a free one pound bag of M&M's. He enjoyed many adventures in his life, one of which was on his 60th birthday when he decided to take a walk around his neighborhood in only his "birthday suit" and cowboy boots. "Oh, hello officer, nice day isn't it?" Oops!
Al enjoyed time with friends and family. He enjoyed visiting, watching westerns & the Chiefs games with Grandpa Fred. Many a gal was called "Darlin". He called me Kelly Baby Doll since the day I was born. Grandma let Alex name his baby sister, Pamela Kay, although we don't know if she was aware that he named Pam after a girl he had a crush on. Many people may have heard dad on the local radio station's Trading Posts selling or trading through Chillicothe KCHI, Trenton KTTN and Marshall KMMO (that is, if he wasn't banned from the air). He loved to barter, no money needed, "let's make a trade!"
We said our goodbyes at the hospital with tears and laughs. Dad may, or may not, have enjoyed the music being played during our last visit. Aunt Pam wasn't too pleased with Aunt Vickie's choices but it was a good way to reminisce. Until we meet again, happy trails to you, Dad.
Al is survived by two daughters, two sons and ten grandchildren: Carrie Ann & John Brown, Ian, Hailey & Daniel of Green Isle, MN; Kelly & Greg Chenoweth, Ezequeil, Felicity, Trenton & Adrienne of Akron, CO; Steve Collins, Wyatt, Lillian & Waylon of Willmar, MN; and Cody Collins of Kansas City, MO. Three sisters: Vickie & David Anderson, Hale, MO; Donna Collins, Chillicothe, MO; and Pam Hull, Brookfield, MO; one step-brother, Larry & Lynn Johnson, Parkville, MO; several cousins, nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Millie Collins, Fred & Eula Collins, paternal grandparents Ralph Collins and Donna Lentz and maternal grandparents Coyiet and Effie Pryor.
Military graveside service will be held at the Avalon Cemetery, Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Postponed to a later Date as of 10/29/2020
Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.