Gordon Wayne Collins

Gordon Wayne Collins, age 62, passed away peacefully at home on May 25, 2018 after a year-long challenge with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife Jill, his brother Robert and best friend Gary Yokie and wife, Kim Willis.Wayne was born in Booneville, Mississippi on July 24, 1955. In 1963, Wayne moved to Houston with his parents, Dr. A. O. Collins and Margaret Gordon Collins and brother, Robert. Dr. Collins was a respected theologian and founding faculty member of Houston Baptist College, now H.B.U. Margaret was the first music teacher in Alief ISD. In 1999, she was honored with the distinction of a new elementary school bearing her name Margaret Collins Elementary School.Wayne enjoyed an active childhood, including outdoor activities, Scouts and church functions. He and Bob have fond memories of long bike rides before the expansion and development of Houston. He remained a gifted musician throughout his life with the enviable ability to play music by ear. Though this was somewhat awkward to his accordion teacher, who required Wayne to play written music, others considered playing by ear to be an invaluable gift. Wayne was an excellent bass player and later, he became a member of several bands including, Vast Majority, Wild Bores and Senor Bubba. He received his B.A. degree in Communications-Radio, Television and Film from the University of Houston in 1979. He had a key internship with McNee Productions that enhanced his passion for film and photography. After graduation, Wayne enjoyed a career with Southwestern Camera Company. Initially, he worked in sales then become the downtown store manager. After multiple courses, he was certified with Hasselblad, Nikon and Leica. This experience and certification facilitated his photography career path. He enjoyed working with Pennzoil, Alexander Smith Academy, Arora Design, Inc. and many other clients in his successful photography and website implementation business.He was introduced to Jill Quinn in 1981 by his roommate, who was a friend of Jill's at U.T. Health Science Center School of Nursing. Wayne and Jill were married on October 10, 1987 and are grateful for 37 years of unconditional love, a unique partnership and a genuine joy to be best friends. In addition to his love of photography and music, Wayne was an avid hiker and exercise enthusiast. He and Jill enjoyed decades of mountain hikes and runs in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Arkansas.Wayne had a long-term commitment to volunteerism and activism. He volunteered with the Mockingbird Alliance, Live Oak Friends Meeting (webmaster), The Jung Center, Eyes Wide Open Exhibit and Houston Hospice, among others. In a final gesture of goodwill, Wayne donated his body for research to the Willed Body Program at U.T. Southwestern Medical Center. It was his hope that one of these bright minds will find a cure for hepatocellular carcinoma and gain a better understanding of metastatic cancer.Wayne, a true artist, seeker, ethical and thoughtful man is survived by his best friend and wife, Jill Quinn Collins, his devoted and loving brother, Robert, loving and caring Mother-in-law, Suzanne Little, loving brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws: Greg Little, James Quinn and wife, Audrey, David Clay Little and Jim Caruth, John Quinn and Claudia Gamez, Jeff Little, Kaaren Little, Diana and Duane Sipila and Amy and Colton Carroll. Debbie and Steve Lowe. Loving nephews and nieces: Christopher Quinn and Janay Valencia, Kathryn and Bryant Willett, Jackson Carroll and Emily Quinn. Great nephews: the joyous Willett boys. Numerous family members in Mississippi, Kentucky and beyond, including a special relationship with David Collins. His Soul brother, Gary Yokie and wife, Kim Willis and wonderful lifelong friends and colleagues.Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. A.O. and Margaret Gordon Collins, father-in-law, Clyde Little, Jr., and numerous aunts and uncles. Jill, Robert and the family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Galati and his office staff; Erin Yates, P.A.; Jane Williams, RN, Methodist liver transplant nurse extraordinaire; the superior nursing staff at Methodist Main 7 SW; Diana Kurian, Methodist RPh; Dr Ahmed Kaseb, Elcenia Wright, RN and Lauren, PA with M.D. Anderson GI Center; our Angel, Alice Moore, RN; Todd Williams, Chaplain and the outstanding Houston Hospice Blue Team. During Wayne’s illness, he and Jill remained hopeful, steadfast and humbled by God's grace and the prayers and support of so many loving family members and friends.Friends who wish, may make memorial gifts in Wayne's memory to either:Unitarian Fellowship of Houston1504 Wirt RoadHouston, Texas 77055Live Oak Friends Meeting (Quaker)1318 W. 26th StreetHouston, Texas 77008Houston Hospice1905 Holcombe Blvd.Houston, Texas 77030www.houstonhospice.org/donations