Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Collins

Kenneth Eugene "Gene" Collins, 56, died Monday, July 14, 2014 in Fayetteville, Ark. from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

He was born Sept. 8, 1958 to Loren and Joan (Henage) Collins in Liberal.

He graduated from Liberal High School with the class of 1976, where he was active in the Madrigal Singers.

He graduated from the Liberal Area Vo-Tech School with a diploma in Auto Mechanics.

He attended Seward County Community College.

He owned Merit Radiator Service, purchasing the business from his parents in 2000. He could always be counted on to keep his nephew’s cars running.

He was also a member of the Liberal Men’s Bowling League and was a reserve officer in the Seward County Sheriff’s office.

He was working as a home inspector at the time of his death.

Survivors include his mother; companion Mary Prescott, Purcell, Okla.; brothers, Everett, Lewis and John, all of Liberal, and Charles, Houston, Texas; sister, Lori Collins Benton, Liberal; and many nephews, nieces and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father.

• Memorial services are pending.

Cremation has taken place.