Birth date: Aug 11, 1989 Death date: Jul 2, 2019
Mr. Derek Andrew Collins, 29, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, in Grapevine, Texas. He was born on Friday, August 11, 1989, to his loving and thoughtful parents, Dennis Fitzpatrick Collins and Sharon Motsenbocker in McKinney, Read Obituary
So sorry to the Collins Family...my deepest sympathy
shruti lit a candle in memory of Derek Collins
My brother had the most zest for life of anyone I’ve ever met. He lived his life to the fullest and loved with all his heart. His girls were his world and even though he wasn’t with them every moment of the day, they “consumed” his thoughts, as he said. They were the one thing that reminded him of the goodness and innocence in the world. I hope one day they know how much he truly loved them.We fought like siblings do when we were younger but as adults, he was my best friend. I will forever have a hole in my heart where he once resided. He can never be replaced and was a genuine, one of a kind person. He always called me on my BS and could always be counted on when I needed him. It’s sad that I need him now the most.We used to drown our sorrows before every funeral we went to and he would stay behind with me when everyone left just to reminisce. We would talk about how sad we felt for everyone else because we loved those people when they were alive and had some memories that would last a lifetime that they couldn’t even imagine. We’d laugh at the people who we hadn’t seen or heard from in years but come around all the sudden when someone dies and how gross that was. We would have definitely laughed at them not even caring to write a real obituary for him or spell my name right until the day before his funeral because they’re ‘so distraught’. Okay. Yet, it’s a tragedy to everyone because they need attention or sympathy. To us, we had our memories and knew the true pain and loss that those people couldn’t fathom, and we pitied them. They would never know how it felt to truly love and miss someone as we did… he was the only person I felt that knew what it meant to love someone’s soul so much it hurt.He wouldn’t want everyone to be sad because of the time they lost, but remember the times they had and how great they were. It sounds cliche, but we would laugh at people like me right now. That cry at the funeral, but weren’t there when he needed them most. He’d definitely laugh at this ritual of a funeral and tell everyone that he didn’t give a shit about any of those things but what mattered was how we treated him when he was alive… and we all failed.He said, “funerals are for the living”, and he wouldn’t want us to shed a tear for him because he’s moved on. Well, I’ve cried. I loved him more than I even showed, apparently. The only solice I have now, is that I always told him I loved him and I was always here when he needed me… I should’ve seen that he did.My brother wasn’t perfect, but he tried. I think the expectations set on him and the limitations he had, made it impossible for him to be adequate for anyone. He was always just someone who was trying their best (to me) and I never judged him, but I failed at showing that enough.The people that have checked on my wellbeing, I love. Genuinely. Honestly, what I KNOW with all my heart; all my brother would have wanted is for people to love each other. Be kind. Be accepting, understanding, and forgiving. Life SUCKS sometimes, but it’s the people that love you and surround you with compassion that make it worth living. I know I’ve failed once and I won’t ever fail again. I know even tough love, is sometimes the love people need to make them better. I know my nieces deserve a family that loves them and tells them all the funny, charismatic, heart-felt things my brother did and who he was in his soul.He told me once that he felt like, “(I) abandoned (him).” I left him when I was a teenager with our mother and even as an adult, he could not escape her. I failed at showing him another way and that he could be stronger than those burdens. Sometimes it’s worth walking away from everything you own, to save everything you are. You can love someone and still do what’s best for them, even if it’s not easy. My grandpa always gave us what we “needed” but never what we “wanted” and I think Derek just always felt the burden to provide no matter the cost to himself.‘I’m sorry baby brother that I failed you. I hope everyone else realizes they failed you too and changes their ways. I hope we hav
We were privileged to meet Derek at a family dinner Introduced by our daughter. At first we were a little surprised by his tattoos and dislike of cats (we have many) but later on we were extremely impressed with his devotion to friends. Not only was he intelligent, articulate, hard-working, and handsome but the first to help a friend move or recuperate.
The world has lost a compassionate, sincere soul. It is very characteristic that his passing allowed others to live. He will he missed.
We were privileged to meet Derek at a family dinner Introduced by our daughter. At first we were a little surprised by his tattoos and dislike of cats (we have many) but later on we were extremely impressed with his devotion to friends. Not only was he intelligent, articulate, hard-working, and handsome but the first to help a friend move or recuperate. The world has lost a compassionate, sincere soul. It is very characteristic that his passing allowed others to live. He will he missed.
Rest in Paradise xoxoxoxo
