Gerald "Jerry" Dan Collins

Gerald (Jerry) Dan Collins of Cullman passed away on Monday March 10th, 2025 at UAB Gardendale Emergency Center. Jerry entered eternal rest at the age of 69 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jerry was born in Grand Rapids Michigan to William Henry and Nellie Christy Collins on August 23rd, 1955. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Catherine (Cathy) Rutledge Collins, his daughters, Kimberly (Nick) Lee of Cullman and Ashley (WooJeong) Jin of Hartselle, and his grandchildren; Kaleb Lee, Lexi Lee, and Aria Danielle Jin (who was named after him). He has a surviving mother-in-law, Maude Rutledge and a host of brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews, and several cousins. He has one surviving brother, Bill Collins of Brentwood, TN. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents William H. & Christy Collins, his sister Anita Collins, his brother Steven Collins, his brother Tim Collins, and his father-in-law, Charles Rutledge. Jerry graduated from Warren County High School in 1973 and still kept up with his fellow classmates. He attended Tennessee Technological University where he continued to study his love for music and the saxophone. He worked in retail management for many years with Big K stores, TG&Y, and Bruno’s. He then worked for several years as an insurance agent at Jean Deese Insurance Agency until he retired due to illness. Jerry was a member of Cullman Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for many years, something he absolutely loved and thrived at. Jerry was a good father and actively involved in his daughter’s lives. He spent many years coaching AYSO soccer, was regularly involved in church events, and spent many summers attending Maywood Christian Camp with his daughter Ashley, where he thoroughly loved being a cook in the kitchen. Jerry had a deep love for God and salvation. He also cared very much about the salvation of others. Prayer was the biggest thing in Jerry’s life and he prayed with many people. Even strangers would find themselves praying with him. He never lost his faith throughout his illness. In his hard fought battle against a type of cancer with the acronym “GIST”, he still praised God by saying that to him, “GIST” stood for “God Is Still There”. Please help us celebrate his life on Sunday March 16th, 2025 at Cullman Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 12:30 - 2:00 pm at Cullman Church of Christ with the funeral immediately following at 2:00pm. Burial will take place at Cullman City Cemetery immediately following services. The family request donations made to Hope House in Houston Texas or any other Hope House.

Gerald "Jerry" Dan Collins

August 23, 1955 - March 10, 2025