Howard Jay Collins, son of Judson "Judd" Dell (1871-1957) and Edith Faye (Rolfe) (1885-1957) Collins, was born 25 November 1909 Michigan.  He graduated in 1927 from Okemos High School where he participated in track and field events.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 2 January 1928

OKEMOS ALUMNI GIRLS DEFEATS HIGH TEAM

Okemos, Jan. 2 - Okemos girls' basket ball team was defeated by the alumni 10 to 14, Friday evening.  The Okemos Indians, however were the victors in the tilt with the alumni boys, the score being 24 to 22.  Laura Woodworth and Howard Collins acted as alumni captains.  Murrey, of Mason was referee.  The next local games will be Friday evening, January 6, when Mason plays.

Howard was a 1931 graduate of Michigan State College.  He married Dorothy E. Spears 24 May 1930 Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 3 June 1930

Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Dorothy Speers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Speers of Jackson, to Howard Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Collins, East Lansing, which took place at Bowling Green, O., last September.  Mrs. Collins has been in training at the W A. Foote Memorial hospital, Jackson.  Mr. Collins is a member of the class of '31 at Michigan State college and a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Howard and Dorothy were divorced 12 June 1930 Jackson County, Michigan.  Howard entered the US Army 1942 and served during World War II, honorably discharged in 1947.  He died 18 July 1995 Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan and was interred Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan.