John Lester Collins

Dr. John L. Collins, a pioneer in the mental health community in Eastern New Mexico, passed away on June 2, 2025, in Marion, Texas, at the age of 81.

He was born October 26, 1944, to Thomas Wilson Collins and Stella May Hanson, in Bremerton, Washington. From his humble beginnings as the son of a shipyard worker, he overcame the pitfalls that had trapped his family for generations in poverty to become a faithful husband, a kind and loving parent, and a pillar of his community. 

He became the first college graduate in his family when he earned his bachelor's and then his master's degrees from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. He met his wife, Ellen Rasmuson, and the couple married in Logan, Utah, in 1970, shortly before he entered the United States Army's Signal Corps as an officer and served a tour in Vietnam.

After his honorable discharge from his military service, he continued his education at Brigham Young University, where he earned his Ph.D. in psychology. His professional career as a clinical psychologist started by serving his fellow veterans as a psychologist with the Veterans Administration. Later, he established a practice in Clovis, New Mexico. He left his legacy by building and organizing mental health programs for the Clovis Municipal Schools and Plains Regional Medical Center that have continued to grow and serve the community since his retirement. 

Dr. Collins was also a man of faith who served as teacher, minister, High Counselor, and Bishop in his local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. He also served as a missionary, with his wife, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked with young men and women, and their clergy, to become ready and able to provide their own missionary service. In all respects, he tried to be an example to others of the love the Savior had for him, and to help others feel that divine love in their lives. 

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, four children– Joy (and Keith) Larson, Charity (and Dan) Lindsey, John Collins, Jr., and Jim (and Melinda) Collins–thirteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister, Judy (and Ed) Heaney, and his furry companion, Baby. He happily joins his parents, brother, and grandson beyond this life. 

Services will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1142 FM 1103, Cibolo, Texas 78108, beginning with the viewing from 9 am to 10:30 am. The viewing will be immediately followed by funeral services from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Burial services will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, at 1:30 pm.The Collins family wishes to give special thanks to all the friends, family, community members, and healthcare workers who supported Dr. Collins, and the family, during his long battle with kidney disease.