Thomas Collinsworth

Thomas “Gary” Collinsworth, Sr., 73, of McKenzie, Alabama, passed away Monday, September 4, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born June 23, 1944, in Milton, Florida, to parents John and Ruth (Moss) Collingsworth. He was an U.S. Air Force veteran. Gary was a 1963 graduate of Milton High School and a plumber for 40+ years. His greatest passion and joy was fishing, followed closely by gardening. He was generous in sharing his bountiful crop with his family and friends. He also loved to hunt, and was known for his carpentry skills in building decks and porches. Gary was a very loving husband, father and friend; and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Clayton, John and Tyrus Collinsworth; and three sisters, Clara Beavers, Betty Rinehart Beck and Melbeline Gentry. Gary is survived by his wife of 50 years, Alice (Nelson) Collinsworth; one son, Thomas Gary Collinsworth, Jr. of Milton; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by five sisters, Jean Gillsdorf of Crestview, Marie Lyons of Crestview, Irene Russell of Crestview, Mavis Demaris of Jacksonville, Florida, and JoAnn Amadeo of Chicago, Illinois; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Terri Nelson of McKenzie, Alabama; sister-in-law, Janice Ware of Milton; special niece, Shelly Wolfe of Milton; a host of nieces and nephews; his best friends, Norma and Jerry Mills; a very special friend, Betty Ryan of Pensacola; and his fur babies, Thomas, Tequila and Slinky – Slinky was also known as “Fat Belly Bread!” Last, but not least, he leaves behind his very special work family to cherish his memory – Joe and Tammy Nelson, Denise and Charles Morgan and Mike Nelson of Nelson’s Plumbing Company in Camden, Alabama; and all of the employees of Nelson’s Plumbing Company in Pensacola. Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2017, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, with Rev. Mike Poston officiating. Visitation will be held 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., prior to the service.