Former teacher and director of education, James Collins, 65

James Collins, former director of education at Dundee City Council has died at the age of 65.

Mr Collins, known as Jim, attended Morgan Academy, then studied French at St Andrews University before spending time in Orleans, France.

His first teaching post was Morgan Academy in 1975, where he returned as principal teacher of French in 1979 after a spell at Carnoustie High School.

He became assistant rector at Morgan in 1982 and moved to Forfar Academy in 1988, where he served as the schools’ deputy rector.

In 1994 he became rector of Monifieth High School, where he worked until 2000, when he was appointed education services manager for Dundee City Council.

In 2008 he was appointed director of education for Dundee City Council, a position from which he retired in 2011.

Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “Mr Collins was someone who had a lot of time for the people of Dundee and did a lot of good work in his time as education director.

“Some of the success over the years can be attributed to his work and on top of that he was a genuinely nice guy who had a great compassion for people.”

In retirement he rediscovered a love for golf and was a member of Kirriemuir Golf Club.

Along with his wife Monica, he regularly attended ceilidhs and bridge meetings.

He was a man of faith, and was an elder and treasurer of Isla parish church, a position he retired from recently.

His wife, three daughters, Helen, Valerie and Laura, son Philip, and his three grandchildren, will remember him as an all-round excellent person, who dedicated himself to inspiring those he taught.

James Collins.