Douglas Collins

Companion Douglas Collins was born in Harlingen, TX, on December 8, 1944. His earliest education began in his mother’s kindergarten at the age of four. Family rumor has it that she started the school because she could not get anyone who would care for him while she was at work. He graduated from Brownsville High School in 1962 and immediately entered the United States Air Force. After training at Chanute AFB in Illinois as an Aircraft Electrician, Douglas spent the next two and a half years at RAF Alconbury, England with the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. As RB-66’s were being retired from the Air Force inventory, he was transferred stateside where he completed his service at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama.

After being honorably discharged in 1966, Companion Collins joined the Brownsville Police Department serving from 1966 through 1967. In December of 1967, he joined the Dallas Police Department and served 22.5 years before retiring as a Detective in 1990. Douglas served in Patrol, Communications, and Investigations. After retirement he owned and operated, “A Moment in Time Photography Studio”.

Douglas has three sons by his first marriage, Richard, Bobby, and David; and a grand daughter, Amber. In 1998, he and Cheri were married and enjoy the company of their three grandkids, Abby, Cash, and Mandy.

Companion Collins was a member of the Brownsville Jaycee’s before moving to Dallas. While living in Brownsville after retirement, he served as President of the Brownsville Republican Club. He was elected as a delegate to the State Republican Conventions in 1998 and 2000.

Companion Collins, besides having been a Cub Scout, Boy Scout (Life rank) and Explorer Scout, is a Senior DeMolay and credits his desire to become a Mason to that early fraternal experience. In 1981, he petitioned East Dallas Lodge No. 1200 and was raised on August 31, 1982. Quickly becoming interested in this wonderful Fraternity, he dove in and got to work. He received his 3-year Certificate of Proficiency from The Grand Lodge Committee on Work in 1986 and continues to hold it today. After serving as Worshipful Master of East Dallas Lodge in 1988-89, he affiliated with Keystone Lodge No. 1143 and served as Master in 1993-94. In 1989, he affiliated with Rio Grande Lodge No. 81 in Brownsville. A further affiliation with Mercedes Lodge No. 1010 resulted in being elected and serving as Worshipful Master in 2005-06. Companion Collins served the Grand Lodge of Texas and Grand Master J. P. Vogel as District Deputy Grand Master for District 14-F in 1992. He also served as W: Grand Photographer from 1994 through 1997.

In September 1999, Douglas presented a successful research paper to Texas Lodge of Research and was elected a Full Member. He later received the James D. Carter Award for Literary Excellence for the paper entitled, “Stephen Powers: Master Mason, Master Citizen”. After serving in several appointed offices, he was elected as Worshipful Master of Texas Lodge of Research on 20 March 2004. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society.

Shortly after being raised in 1982, Companion Collins petitioned Dallas Chapter No. 47 RAM for the Capitular Degrees and was exalted on 15 November 1982. In 1989, he affiliated with George Washington Chapter No. 422 in Richardson and served as Most Excellent High Priest in 1990-91. He was appointed Grand Photographer by V: E: Jerry Kirby and served for 12 years in that capacity. Companion Collins was instrumental in the establishment of Brownsville Chapter No. 495 chartered on 08 December 1998 and served as Secretary until 2006. In 2002 he was appointed as District Deputy Grand High Priest pro-tem for District 25 by V: E: Billy Melton. In 2000 he was awarded the Cornerstone Award by the Companions of Brownsville Chapter No. 495. Companion Collins was elected Grand Scribe on 6 December 2005, Grand King on 5 December 2006, Deputy Grand High Priest on 9 October 2007, and was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas on 21 October 2008.

Douglas was greeted in Dallas Council No. 18, Royal and Select Masters on 17 November 1982. He received the Super Excellent Master Degree in 1983. Companion Collins affiliated with George Washington Council No. 408 (now John C. Callahan Council) and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1991-92. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel in December 1991. He was appointed Ill: Grand Photographer by V: I: William V. Sims in 1992 and served 12 years in that office. Companion Collins was instrumental in the founding of Brownsville Council No. 414 and served as Recorder until 2006. He was awarded the Cryptic Triangle by the Companions of Brownsville Council in 2000. Douglas served V: I: Bill Schroeter and the Grand Council R&SM as District Deputy Grand Master for Cryptic District 25 in 2005.

On 22 November 1982, Douglas was knighted in Dallas Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar. He served as Eminent Commander in 1992. He affiliated with Hidalgo Commandery No. 94 in Weslaco, Tx. and served as Recorder from 2000-2005. In 2002, the Sir Knights of Hidalgo Commandery awarded him with the Excalibur Award.

Companion Collins enjoys membership in several other Masonic organizations including the Scottish Rite, Alla Grotto, and Hella Temple.

Douglas is a Charter Member and the Charter Marshal of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College No. 147. He served as Governor in 1996-97 and was elected to receive the Order of Knight of the Purple Cross of York in 2002. In 1993 he was elected to receive the Knight of the York Cross of Honor in Texas Priory No. 23. Douglas was the Charter Excellent Chief of Rose of Sharon Council No. 49, Knight Masons, and has served as Scribe since 1994. He is also the Charter Sovereign Master of Col. William Barrett Travis Council No. 344, AMD. He received the Royal Order of Scotland in 1996. In 2005 Douglas received the DeMolay Legion of Honor (Active). In 2008 he was knighted in George M. Patrick Chapel No. 44, Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon. Douglas was installed as the Puissant Sovereign of South Texas Conclave, Order of the Red Cross of Constantine in 2009.

Having visited every Royal Arch Chapter in Texas, from Brownsville to Borger, El Paso to Orange, and Texarkana to Laredo, Douglas Collins has seen the challenges, some good and some not so good facing the Grand Chapter of Texas. He understands that some of these challenges need to be addressed by the elected Grand Officers to help the Companions of Texas, where needed, and re-invigorate York Rite Masonry in Texas. To that end, Douglas promises his untiring efforts through new programs and personal assistance and service to instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in the Companions of Texas.

Obituary

Douglas Collins, 73, passed away April 18, 2018 in Bulverde, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Courtnay and G. Thomas Collins. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Fowler, of Spring Branch, TX., a daughter, Elizabeth Fowler of Brownsville, his sons, Richard, Robert (Jessica), and David (Belinda) of the Dallas area, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, his sisters, Janet Malen and Marylyn Ponder of Brownsville and G. Thomas Collins (Paula) of the Houston area and a step-son, Dillon Vanderford (Laura) of Brownsville.

Douglas was born in Harlingen, Texas, grew up and attended schools in Brownsville, graduating in 1962. He joined the Air Force and spent most of his time in England. After his time in the USAF, he joined the Brownsville Police Department and then the Dallas Police Department. He often referred to this time as "having a ringside seat at the Greatest Show on Earth." Douglas was also a very active Mason. Although he was a member of many Masonic bodies, his two favorite were The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, where he served as the Grand High Priest in 2008-09 and the Texas Lodge of Research, where he served as Master and was awarded the Golden Trowel and the James Carter Award for Literary Excellence.

Memorial services will be held at The Chapel in the Cove, 3674 Tanglewood Trail, Spring Branch, Texas, on Saturday, April 28th at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, 1501 West Division St., Arlington, TX 76012.