Curtis Collins

Curtis Collins, 57, of Shelby, NC went to be with his Lord on August 14, 2023 at home surrounded by many loved ones.

Curt was born on March 17, 1966 in Sumter, SC to AdaLyn Johnson and the late Frederick Greer Collins Jr. He attended Sumter schools, where he was a very skilled basketball player who played in both junior and senior high. His drive to be his best in the sport led to him receiving a full basketball scholarship to Erskine College after high school graduation in 1984. A four year starter, he was voted captain of the team three of his four years and held the South Carolina record for three point shooting for many many years.

While attending Erskine, he joined the ROTC program where he became the Company Commander of his unit. In May 1988, he received the Military Order of the World Wars Award, presented to the Cadet of the Year. After college graduation in May 1989, he moved to Charlotte, NC where he worked various small jobs until he was employed by Quincy's Family Steakhouse as a Manager. During his employment there, he continued his military career in the U.S. Army National Guard as a platoon leader in the Signal Corps. In 1990, he attended the U.S. Army Officers Basic Course.

A career move in 1993 changed the course of his life completely. He became an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Cleveland Country Club, eventually moving on to Kings Mountain Country as the Superintendent in 1995. With his infamous "gift of gab' and winning personality, the segue into golf course/landscape product sales in 2001 was a natural progression. He worked for BWI, Southern Ag and IKEX before landing his "dream job" in September 2007. He became the Sales Representative for TN, SC, and Western NC with PBI Gordon and was very highly regarded and respected. Curt flourished exponentially throughout his almost 16 years there - he was Salesperson of the Year multiple times and never missed his goals. He was very beloved by his coworkers and customers because of his genuineness, integrity, enthusiasm, effortless wit and all around goodness.

Curt was very musically inclined, always playing the guitar and had a wonderful singing voice. Around 2007, he began going to Nashville for writing sessions and dreamed of having a #1 song on the radio one day. He met many dear friends in that time period who remain close to him today. His YouTube channel is full of original songs of his as well as covers. He enjoyed playing at open mic nights around Kings Mountain and Gastonia. Music was one of his biggest passions and he had hundreds of ideas for song titles and lyrics.

Above all else, what he held most dear was his family and his faith. Curt was a faithful, devoted husband to his wife Robin and extremely proud dad to his son Tanner. He always said they are what drove him to be the best he could be and he willingly put their needs above his own. Curt had a huge, huge heart for his many loved ones, always trying to make them laugh and doing whatever necessary to give them a

good life. He was a simple person who enjoyed family dinners, Dodgers games, playing guitar, writing songs and sitting with his favorite cat Jackie.

Curt was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in July 2021 and immediately accepted the challenge with a grace and bravery that was inspiring to see. He endured a lot of surgeries, procedures, radiation, chemos and treatment with such positivity and courage. Even when he was in obvious pain and discomfort as cancer spread, he never questioned "why him" or complained. He had the strongest faith that he would be healed and if not, he knew Heaven awaited him and he was never afraid.

Even as we mourn the loss of our beloved Curt, we are so very proud of him and how he lived his life with such optimism and determination. We will forever cherish our time with him and always remember his deep, deep love for us all. We are thankful he's in Heaven, fully healed with no more pain to endure. We will strive to face this loss with the same bravery he displayed fighting cancer. We love you so much Curt.

Special heartfelt thanks to Curt's medical team throughout the years: Dr. Todd Hansen of Caromont Family Medicine; Dr. Reza Nazemzadeh and his wonderful team (Kathy, Rachel, Barbara, Lindsey and Nic and infusion nurses Hannah and Mattie) at Levine's Cancer Institute Southpark; and Dr. John Roberson of Levine's Cancer Institute Cleveland and his phenomenal team (Courtney, Chelsea, Clay and technicians). Their care, concern, gentleness and respect for Curt will never be forgotten.

Curt is survived by his loving wife Robin Klutz Collins; his much beloved son Tanner Collins and wife Elizabeth of Kings Mountain, NC; his mother AdaLyn Johnson and husband Tony of Mayesville, SC; brothers: Frederick Collins III and wife Tammy of Sumter, SC, Shawn Everett Collins of Huntersville, NC and Kevin Collins and wife Linsey of Sumter, SC; sister, Wendolyn Dee Collins Neeley and husband David of Mayesville, SC; parents-in-law James and Sherry Klutz of Charlotte, NC; sister-in-law Joy Klutz Dixon of Charlotte; nephews: Cody Collins and wife Savannah, Devin Collins, Gavin Collins, Seth McDowell, Andon Staley, Tristan Neeley, and Landon Dixon; nieces: Kyndal Wiggins and husband Brandon, Kenzi Staley, Marlee Dixon, and Zoey Neeley; three great nephews and two great nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Clay Barnette Funeral Home, 1401 Dixon Blvd, Shelby, NC on Saturday, August 26 at 3pm. Friends will be received from 1-3pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Creekside Wildlife Rescue (a 501c3), 1635 Fallston Rd, Shelby, NC 28150.