Annual “A.C.” Collins Jr.

Annual "A.C." Collins passed away on January 8, 2023 in Columbus, OH.

He was born in Bryan, TX on January 17, 1949, to Annual Collins, Sr. and Ollie M. Collins. The Collins family moved to Columbus, OH where he graduated from Eastmoor High School (Class of 1967) where he developed a love for music. A.C. went on to attend THE Ohio State University, but his college career was cut short and he entered into the US Airforce.

While stationed at Dyess AFB he met Kerrie Reed. A.C. and Kerrie married June 14, 1973 and along with Kerrie's young son, Curtis, they moved to Columbus and started their family. In June of 1979, they welcomed a daughter, Jamila, and two years following in May 1981 they welcomed another son, Rivell.

A.C. left a career at the post office to pursue his passion, a career in music. He did what he loved for the next 40 years and performed up to his last day. He was a gifted musician, skilled on multiple instruments such as the flute, oboe, piano, and most impactfully, the saxophone. He was also a talented songwriter and composer. A.C. has written and performed numerous original pieces, including some never heard publicly. Throughout his career, A.C. Collins made significant contributions to the Columbus music community and the industry as a whole. He received many accolades for his work, most notably, he was a 2021 Columbus Blues Hall of Fame inductee.

A.C. was a loving father, grandfather, brother, family member, and friend to many. He loved his long-time significant other, Mary Ellen Johnston, with who he shared his life until his final days. In addition to his passion for music, he loved his grandchildren, Justyn, Truth, and Lauren, playing golf, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Annual "A.C." Collins, Jr. is preceded in death by his father, Annual "A.C." Collins, Sr., his mother, Ollie M. Collins, his brother, Marcus A. Collins, and son, Curtis Collins (Gindratt). A.C. leaves to honor his memory, Jamila Collins (daughter), Rivell Collins (son), sisters Patricia Collins, and Carolyn Murphy (Robert Murphy), brothers Donnie Collins (Debra Collins) and Richard Collins, grandsons Justyn Harper and Truth Collins, one granddaughter, Lauren Gindratt, nephew Tau Murphy, niece, Zakiya Rhodes (Donte Rhodes), ex-wife, Kerrie Collins, and a host of cousins in Texas, California, and Michigan.

A.C. will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans.

To help the family out with expenses please go to this link: https://gofund.me/f95bbb11