Mr. Michael Ray Collins

Michael Ray Collins departed this life on Oct. 18, 2023, at Jefferson Healthcare in Lee’s Summit, MO. He was born on Oct 4, 1952, to Willie C. Collins and Minnie Mae Barber Collins in Charleston, Mississippi. In 1957 Willie and Minnie gathered their expanding family and moved north, stopping briefly in St. Louis, MO before settling in Kansas City, MO. Michael was educated at W. W. Yates Elementary, Lincoln Junior, Manual High School and eventually Paseo High School where he graduated in 1970. In high school and for the vast majority of his adult life Michael was known as a fashionably dressed guy, always decked out in the latest styles as well as having neatly groomed hairstyles. Michael became a very popular guy with the ladies and that popularity combined with being a fashionista are two traits that were consistent throughout his lifetime. After high school Michael joined the U.S. Air Force where he met his first wife Joyce Wharton. Joyce and Michael had three girls, Maliya, Jamila, and Shani while Michael was also father to Devlin (mother, Michele, Deceased) and Kevin (mother, Aquanette). Michael, Joyce, and the girls moved around a bit while in the Air Force with duty stations in South Carolina, and the Phillipines. While he enjoyed his time in service and took full advantage of the travel opportunities, a military career was not a good fit for Michael and he was honorably discharged in 1974. Following military service, it took him some years to acquire the level of education he wanted to achieve, eventually earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Michael was smart and had the intelligence necessary to do well in just about any occupation. Michael’s resume lists a wide range of positions including Air Traffic Control, AT&T Technical Sales Representative, Federal Government Dept. of the Interior, Real Estate Agent, Luxury Car Salesman, and Entreprenuer among others. Using a combination of intelligence, wit,charm, or sometimes just plain luck, he would work his way into some pretty incredible opportunities. During his professional career Michael lived primarily in Denver, Colorado where he met and married his second wife Audrey. Together, they developed a successful RE Brokerage & Loan Co. Preceding Michael in death are his dad and mom, Willie C. and Minnie Mae Collins, his brother Willie C. Collins Jr., and a grandson, DeSean Khalil Collins. Left to mourn Michael’s passing are a host of family members which include, first wife Joyce and second wife Audrey, five children, Maliya, (Michael), Jamila (Jamaal), Shani, Devlin and Kevin, five brothers, Otis (Clotine), Lee (Mary), Ernest (Dawn), TC (Rita), Charles (LaTanya), sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, as well as a host of extended family and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 06, 2023, 11:00am at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Linwood Chapel. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, LVNKS. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the chapel. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Michael Ray Collins

October 4, 1952 - October 18, 2023