Ray Dempsey 'Dutch' Collins

Ray Dempsey "Dutch" Collins, 86, entered eternal life Wednesday August 23, 2006. Dutch was born July 7, 1920 in Yahola, Oklahoma to Abbie and George Collins. Survivors include his wife Elizabeth Collins; son Mr. Terry Lee Collins and wife Bonnie; daughter, Joy Cottingiam and her husband Quill, and Martha Hedgecoke and husband Wade. Other survivors include numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. After he married Elizabeth Apple they moved to Ruidoso NM in 1942. They owned the Thunderbird Curio Shop, which he and his family ran until his retirement in 1981. He and Elizabeth then moved to Mesa, AZ from where he and his wife did extensive traveling. They then moved to Las Cruces, NM in 2002. While in Ruidoso, Dutch was a member of the Ruidoso Volunteer Fire Department. He loved playing golf, competitive pistol shooting, hunting, and bass and trout fishing. He was well known and respected by many families in Ruidoso and Mesa and he will be missed and forever remembered by all whose lives he touched. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at Getz Funeral Home. Graveside Funeral Services will be at 11 AM on Monday, August 28, 2006 at Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Officiating will be Rev. Wayne Joyce. PDF Printable Version