James Justin Collins, Jr.

James J. Collins, Jr. died September 18, 2014 at the age of 90. Born June 21, 1924, Jim was a lifelong resident of Portland.  He graduated Grant High in 1942 and from O.S.U. with a degree in Engineering in 1946. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Amort and they had five children. He was tragically widowed in 1965. In 1970 he married Roberta Slayman and she added two daughters to his family. “Bobbie” died in 1978. Jim had long term relationships with Marilyn Givens and Shirley Mills who both pre-deceased him.

Jim worked for N.W. Natural Gas for 35 years. “Big Jim” is survived by his children Julie, Jim III, Becky, Annie, Mary Kate, Nan and Patricia. Also his half-sisters Linda, Joanie and Cathy and their mother, Dorothy;  eleven grandchildren and 23 great- grandchildren.

A Funeral will be held at the Aurora Presbyterian Church on Friday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.  A Celebration of Life to be held at Stanich’s on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 12 – 4 p.m.