Jack A. Collins Ph.D
CAVE CREEK – Jack Collins (91) passed away at his home on February 18, 2021. He was born in Columbus, Ohio and grew up on his family farm in Plain City. He was the eldest of four siblings. The first of his family to go to college, Jack went on to graduate from The Ohio State University where he earned his baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He became a well-respected expert in the field of failure of materials in mechanical design.
He reached the cherished rank of Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University after having taught students at both OSU (1972-1992) and Arizona State University (1963-1972). He was the author of two authoritative mechanical engineering textbooks which are still in widespread use at numerous universities worldwide. In addition, he was an engineering consultant for over 50 clients, including NASA, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and General Dynamics. His accomplishments included design work on the first artificial heart valve, the V-22 Osprey and crash test dummies, to name just a few. He received numerous ASME Awards over the years including the prestigious International Machine Design Award in 1997 which recognizes eminent achievement in the field of machine design.
He was a selfless leader and spent countless community service hours volunteering for many organizations including serving as chairman of several boards and a scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. As a man of faith, he served his church in various leadership roles.
He married the love of his life while in college who just happened to grow up on the neighboring farm. They raised four children and just celebrated their 63rd anniversary. His hobbies included photography, gardening, camping and cooking huge family pancake breakfasts on Sunday mornings after church. He was a lifelong Ohio State Buckeye fan and had season football tickets for over 60 years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mildred Collins, and his two younger brothers, Don(Maggie) and Dick. He is survived by his loving wife JoAnn, his children and their spouses, Mike(Julie), Jennifer(Larry), Joan and Greg(Heather). Also his grandchildren, Michael, Christen(Bennett), David, Erin, Caden and Marrec, his sister Betty, his sister-in-law Rieta and many nieces and nephews.
Thanks to the Mayo Clinic and Hospice of the Valley. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The American Diabetes Foundation or a charity of choice.
A virtual celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 and we invite all family and friends to attend and participate. For more details, please email joannmurphyg@gmail.com.
– Debra Brown, 64, passed away on February 17, 2021, in Phoenix, AZ. She was married to LeRoy Brown for 20 years. They lived with their four fur babies, whom they just absolutely adore, Chance, Buster, Benny, and Minnie.
She was passionate about serving others. She loved to sew and crochet. She used these talents to sew and donate blankets for shelter dogs and cats. In addition, she made and donated hundreds of masks to various hospitals, family and friends, both near and far, during this pandemic. Also, she really enjoyed preparing meals for her family, and would frequently call her children and grandchildren and invite them over to eat or pickup favorites that she had cooked or baked especially for them.
She was born in Indianapolis, IN to Clyde and Mabel Moore. She is survived by her husband, LeRoy Brown, her daughters, Jennifer (Allen) Way, April Covert, her three grandchildren, Christopher, Ashley, and Brianna Jones, and her brother, Gene (Elaine) Whittemore. She is predeceased by her father and her mother, her brothers Earl Green, Burl, her twin brother Eddie, and her sister Brenda.
The memorial / visitation service will be held on February 28, 2021 from 4 -7pm at Hansen Mortuary, located at 8314 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to the MCSO Mobile Animal Safe Haven Unit at the following website https://mcsomash. org/. Please visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.