Jerry Neal Collins

Jerry Neal Collins, age 78, of River Road, Hazard, Kentucky, formerly of Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021, at UK Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, after a brief illness.

Born September 17, 1943, in Clearfield, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Denton Collins and Vada and Courtney Brown. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Larry Collins.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 21 years, Janice Sizemore Collins, whom he married on February 18, 2000; one daughter, Renee Collins Smith and husband Tim of West Liberty, Kentucky; one step-daughter, Wendy Hacker of Hazard, Kentucky; one grandson, Kordell Smith of West Liberty, Kentucky; two step-granddaughters, Lucy and Rachel Duff of Hazard, Kentucky; his special dog companions, “Dixie & Dexter”; and a host of extended family and friends.

Jerry obtained his Eagle Scout Commission during his adolescent years and was very proud to be one of the first young men in Rowan County to accomplish this. He was a graduate of Rowan County High School and began his employment career while in high school working as a stock boy at Ray’s Super-Valu and as a cook at Jerry’s Restaurant in Morehead before becoming employed by General Telephone Electronics (GTE), (later Windstream).  He retired after 43 years of service for the company and was the gentleman with the most years of dedicated service to the company in the state of Kentucky at his retirement. He still remained close to his work family who were more like extended family members.

Jerry was an avid UK sports fan, loved fishing, hanging out with his friends at Giovanni’s in Hazard, and enjoying dinners with his GTE retired work family; but he most loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, and watching his grandson, Kordell, play sports throughout school. He will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation for Jerry Neal Collins will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals (400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351). Graveside services will immediately follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead. 

Pallbearers will be Tim Smith, Kordell Smith, Dale Mabry, Danny Mabry, Paul Gilliam, Wes Sargent, and Ronnie Porter.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Barnett, Steve Barnett, Butch Chaney, Martin Sizemore, Oscar Sizemore, and GTE co-workers.  

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