Obituary for Michael Collins

Michael Collins

August 3, 1946 – January 16, 2024

Michael Rae Collins, 77, of Ponca City, OK, died on January 16, 2024. Viewing with family present will be from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Trout Funeral Home. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 22, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Francis Bartley, Jr. officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Mike was born on August 3, 1946, in Cherokee, OK, to Larry Ball and Theobelle Geneva (Leonhardt) Collins. Mike played football for and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. In 1972 he graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law receiving his Juris Doctorate Degree.

Mike served as the First Assistant District Attorney for Kay and Noble counties for over 10 years, where he was honored by the Oklahoma District Attorney’s Association with the Assistant District Attorney of the Year award. Mike left the District Attorney’s Office in 1984 and opened his private practice law firm in Ponca City, OK, where he practiced for over 35 years. He formed the Bankruptcy Law Center before semi-retiring in 2019 and continued to practice law until the time of his passing.

Mike was very civic minded and a member of many clubs through the years. He served as past president of the Kay County Bar Association, two Rotary Clubs and the Cimarron Council of Boy Scouts of America, as well as serving as Vice President of the Executive Committee for the Cimarron Council of Boy Scouts of America. Mike has served on numerous committees in the state and local bar associations, Leadership Oklahoma, Leadership Ponca City, Board of Trustees at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, among others. Mike received national recognition as a recipient of the coveted Silver Beaver Award, among numerous other recognitions over the years of his service to the Boy Scouts.

Mike was an outdoorsman who loved sailing, flying, camping, and gardening. He spent several years working and vacationing in Yellowstone. Mike was an avid traveler who took his family on many adventures throughout his years. He loved sports and was a diehard OU Football and Softball fan. More than anything, he adored his family and being a grandfather.

Michael is survived by: his daughter, Sarah McKittrick and her husband, Patrick, and their children, Patrick, Jr., Blythe and Sally of Lewisville, TX; son, Stephen Collins and wife, Juli, and their children, Ryan and Alex; faithful furry companion, Lily; sister, Cindy Jones and her husband, John, of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; sister-in-law, Meredith Collins of Chanute, KS; and several nieces and nephews. Mike is also survived by former wife, Julia Collins, of Ponca City, OK. He is preceded in death by his parents, former wife Bettie Collins; granddaughter, Charlotte McKittrick, and brother, Rev. Brett Collins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, 900 W Prospect Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home