Fred Collins

Fred Collins was a vibrant, fun-loving, all around good guy with an exuberance for life, always ready for an adventure and eager to help. He was born June 16, 1935 in Linton, IN and passed away on July 17, 2022 at Riverview Hospital, Noblesville, IN.
Fred spent his early years on the family farm in Marco, IN of which he had many fond memories. His family left the farm and moved to Indianapolis for work. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and enlisted in the Navy in 1953 and served proudly. Fred never met a stranger and could talk your leg off which led to a successful career in sales. He truly enjoyed selling trucks, automobiles, and later recreational vehicles earning many awards. What he also enjoyed was racing beginning with soap box derby racing. His family was named the “First Indianapolis Soap Box Derby Family” with brother Wayne winning in 1936, brother Durward in 1948, Fred in 1949. Fred went on to finish 2nd at Akron, OH which was the “Big Time Race”. He graduated to auto racing, not to race but attending as a spectator every Indy 500 from 1955-2019 later joining USAC, then IndyCar as a Pit Tech where he traveled with them to races everywhere including Japan and Brazil. He belonged to the “Oldtimers Club” at the Speedway and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He liked to golf and was an avid IU basketball fan. He was a member of Green Valley Church of Christ where he was the “Donut Man”. Fred loved his church family. He will be so sadly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; son Kurt (Angie) Collins; stepdaughters Beth (Dave) Clements, Cheryl (Todd) Parton; grandchildren Courtney (Paige) Collins, Kelsey (Seth) Johnson, Jon (Jayna) Horine, Joey Collins, Ryan Collins; three great-grandchildren; brother Robert Collins; two sisters-in-law Mimi Collins, Sue Tijunin; and several nieces and nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by son David Collins; stepson Jeffrey Jennings; brothers Wayne and Durward Collins; sister LaDonna Philyaw; and nephew Stephen Hall.
Visitation will be held Tuesday July 26th from 11am – 1pm at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis. Funeral services will begin there at 1pm. Online condolences may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.