Dr. John Tollison Collins passed away on September 19, 2026, at the age of 85.

John was born on January 23, 1941, in Forsyth, Georgia, to Carolyn Tollison Collins and John Wilson Collins. The middle of three sons, he grew up in Forsyth and attended Mary Persons High School, where he was quarterback of the football team. Family and friends affectionately knew him as Jonte or John T.

After high school, John attended the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega before continuing his education at the Medical College of Georgia. He later served his country in the United States Army.

Dr. Collins practiced medicine in Rome, Georgia, for 35 years, dedicating his career to caring for others. During that time, he had the privilege of delivering many babies and caring for generations of families throughout the community. In his later years, he continued serving others through his work at a funeral home, offering his presence and compassion to families during some of their most difficult days.

John was an active member of Second Avenue Baptist Church, where his faith and church family were important parts of his life. He also enjoyed singing in the choir.

He was an avid golfer and especially loved the Masters Tournament, which he looked forward to each year. He enjoyed walking his beloved dog, Prince, and few things gave him more satisfaction than finding a tree limb—or perhaps an entire tree—that he thought needed cutting down. Above all, John loved his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra. His children are John Collins (Penny) of California; Suzy Bentley (Clay) of Rome, Georgia; and Kendall Duggan (Stewart) of Rome, Georgia. He is also survived by his stepson, Matt Fowler (Christie) of Rome, Georgia. John was a proud grandfather to Finn and Stella Collins of California; William Bentley of Rome; Eden Wells (Eli) of Atlanta; Derek Bentley (Lauren), Noah Duggan, and Levi Duggan of Rome; and Caroline Lang (Gabe), Stephen Fowler, and Abbie Fowler of Rome. He is also survived by several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Joel Collins (Jenny) of Phenix City, Alabama.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn Tollison Collins and John Wilson Collins; his brother, Donald Banks Collins.

John lived a life marked by service—to his country, his patients, his church, his community, and, most importantly, his family. He will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched during his 35 years of practicing medicine in Rome, the babies he helped bring into the world, his love of golf and the Masters, his walks with his dog, and the unmistakable satisfaction he found in taking a saw to a tree that needed tending.

His family will deeply miss his presence, his stories, and the countless little things that made him uniquely John T. 

Visitation for Dr. Collins will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Second Avenue Baptist Church, 823 E. 2nd Avenue, Rome, Georgia 30161. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Burial with military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, Georgia 30114. 

The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation to A School of Medicine through the Medical College of Georgia Foundation in memory of Dr. John T. Collins, checks may be mailed to 720 Saint Sebastian Way, Suite 150, Augusta, GA 30901; or by this link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/drjohntcollins.

Salmon Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family of Dr. John T. Collins.