Darrell Ray Collins, age 76, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, formerly of Livingston, passed away on Wednesday February 28, 2024.

Darrell was born in Livingston on August 19, 1947, to the late Champ Edward “Ed” Collins and the late Nola Ledbetter Collins. Darrell began a lifelong commitment to serving people by working for his dad as a young boy in multiple businesses of grocery stores and a filling station.  Darrell was a 1965 graduate of Livingston Academy, where he was a member of the Wildcats marching band.  After high school, Darrell worked at the Dairy Queen and then briefly at Rudy’s Farm in Nashville before he was called to service in the Army.  He was first trained at Ft. Campbell, KY and then specialist training in military police at Ft. Benning, GA.  He was stationed at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, NM, for about two years before his discharge and returning home to Livingston.  

Darrell served many years in public service as a law enforcement officer, beginning as a deputy sheriff for Overton County, then a patrolman with the Livingston Police Department, and later as a patrolman with the Middle Tennessee State University Campus Police Department where he rose to rank of Lieutenant in Investigation before retiring.  He also had stints with owning the Blue Circle restaurant and later the Overton Restaurant.   He also made time to coach minor league and little league baseball for several years.  When time allowed, he could be also found on Dale Hollow Lake up a cove on the houseboat or skiing or fishing, or deer hunting with his children. 

After retirement from law enforcement, Darrell found a new ‘career’ in bidding on storage bins and knew how to turn a profit in no time, often times taking something worth tossing in the trash into something of value. Just like in law enforcement, he continued to help people and make many connections and was well-known to the region as a man who knew how to find things.  Then, when we wasn’t bidding and selling merchandise, he would head out for a weekend camping spot.  For all those years, whether policing, coaching, boating, or bidding, he made many a friend and acquaintance, helping people any way he possibly could.

Darrell leaves behind his wife Tonna, mother-in-law Juanita Bowie, one son Bryan Collins and wife Michelle, two daughters April Kennedy and Sherrie Collins, the mother of his children Patricia, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family that will miss him dearly. 

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen, his brother Carl, and a son Randy. 

At Darrell's request, the family has selected cremation.  A celebration of life is planned to be held at a later date.  

Donations in the memory of Darrell can be made to Alive Hospice. https://www.alivehospice.org/get-involved/give/