SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 892


In Memory

of

Edgar Collins


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 
citizens of Kingsbury in mourning the loss of Edgar Collins, who 
died February 27, 2005, at the age of 104; and

	WHEREAS, Edgar Collins was born August 7, 1900, near 
Kingsbury to Tom and Eliza Collins; he lived a magical life, 
traveling the world, serving his country as a Buffalo Soldier, 
detonating land mines during World War II, working on a whale 
boat, and acting in movies; he made a good living playing stud 
poker, sparred with a notorious boxer, retired after a 15-year 
career with General Motors, and lived the last years of his life 
about 100 yards from the place he was born; and

	WHEREAS, Edgar was the middle child in a family with seven 
boys and two girls; from an early age he helped with family 
finances by killing and skinning small game and selling the hides 
for as much as 25 cents apiece; he attended the all-black 
Plantation School, where one male teacher taught all classes from 
grade one through high school; and

	WHEREAS, At the age of 12, he left home and went to the 
Southwest to earn a living on produce farms and as a cowboy on 
ranches; in 1922 while in Kansas, he joined the Army; after basic 
training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he was sent to the 
Philippine Islands during a native insurgency and then to
Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to protect the Mexican border from bandits;
from there, his troop rode their horses back to Fort Leavenworth; 
and

	WHEREAS, Edgar later served in the Army during World War II 
and was sent to North Africa, where his primary duty was 
detonating land mines; he then went on to fight in Italy; and

	WHEREAS, After his military service, he worked for General 
Motors in Pontiac, Michigan; during the 1960s, he rode a bus back 
to Kingsbury for a visit, and there he stayed, maintaining his 
family's property and the family cemetery; at the age of 103, 
Edgar was still driving his pickup every day, cooking his meals 
on a woodstove, and keeping up the grounds of the cemetery; and

	WHEREAS, A remarkable man who lived his life his way,
Edgar Collins was known also as a loyal and kind neighbor and a 
good friend, and he was truly a treasure to the people of 
Guadalupe County and our state; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Edgar Collins 
and extend sincere condolences to his brother, Lester Collins; 
and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
his family and friends as an expression of deepest sympathy from 
the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 
do so in memory of Edgar Collins.
                                                                       Wentworth




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 16, 2005, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate