Gerald Joseph Collins, a native of Dulac, Louisiana, and a resident of Houma, passed away on October 22, 2026, surrounded by his children. He was 92. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a noted community leader. His volunteer efforts were legendary and he was known far and wide for his cooking talents, earning him the moniker "the Jambalaya King."

Visitation will be Saturday, October 31, 2026, beginning at 10:30 AM until the start of a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Houma. A private interment will follow in St. Francis Cemetery #1. Reverend Jay Baker and Reverend André Melancon will be the co-celebrants.

Gerald is survived by his son Marty C. Collins of Houma; daughters Cindy L. Collins of Houma and Stacy Collins Ross and husband Darrell of Houma; his three grandsons, John Melancon, Jr., (Elisa) of Houston, Texas, Collin Melancon (Jillian) of Baton Rouge, and Teche Melancon of Baton Rouge; his three granddaughters, Ann-Marie Ross, Caroline Ross, and Katie Ross; his five great-grandchildren John III, Theresa, and Isabelle Melancon of Houston, Texas, and Wells Gerald and Maren Melancon of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by his sister Sonja Collins Babin (Earl) of Houston, Texas; his sister-in-law Cathy Himel Friloux (Winfield) of Hahnville; and his son-in-law John Melancon, Sr., of Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Carol Ann Himel Collins; his parents Camille Joseph Collins, Sr., and Elsie Bessie Fryou Collins; daughter Lisa Claire Collins Melancon and granddaughter Mary Claire Melancon; brothers Camille, Jr., Kimple, Aloysius, and Raphael Collins; and sisters Barbara Collins, Sylvia Collins, and Maxine C. Christoffersen.

A proud 1953 graduate of Terrebonne High School, Gerald attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (ULL). He paid his way throughm college working construction during his summers and was a skilled framer. For years, anyone building a barn or shed or camp called on Gerald for his expertise.

For 36 years, Gerald worked for the Bernstein family of Delta World Tire, rising through the ranks of the company to become its vice-president and general manager. With Delta Tire, he was instrumental in opening multiple franchises throughout south Louisiana.

He was a lifetime member of the local Woodmen of the World (Woodmen Life) lodge (Chapter 308) fraternal organization, and served as its longtime lodge secretary. He was instrumental in the fundraising efforts to build the new modern lodge and upon its completion, accepted the role of caretaker and event manager. With the Woodmen, he hosted countless civic and community events. He took great pride in their annual Flag Day ceremonies recognizing our military and first responders, and the Woodmen's Fall Celebration where he offered hayrides for the children with his antique International Harvester tractor. He was first awarded the "Mr. Woodman" award in 1969 for his services to his lodge, an honor he had the distinction of receiving twice.

With the Woodmen, Gerald was the State Jurisdictional President serving from 1989-1991, a State Delegate, and a National Delegate. Together, he and Carol travelled throughout the state and country in support of the Woodmen. He presented countless Woodmen of the World American History awards at schools across the parish and also made numerous American flag presentations to schools and civic organizations. He was a devoted member of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral Parish where he served as a member of the school board and as the Chief Usher at 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. Together with his wife Carol, they took time every fall to assist in building houses throughout the country for Habitat for Humanity. Always with his cooking pots in tow, Gerald would then cook and feed the work crews on the construction sites.

Gerald served on the school board of Maria Immacolata, where his children attended elementary school, and then on the school board of Vandebilt Catholic High School, where he also served as the board's president. At both schools, he was integral in the planning of their annual fair fundraisers, and cooking his famous jambalaya for the crowds. For 10 years he was the construction chair for the annual Vandebilt Autumn Festival, working alongside his great friends Jimmy Buquet, Dr. Jerry Haydel, Joe Waitz, Sr., Gary Labat, Sr., L.G. Gautreaux, Dr. Sep Himel, Carroll Toups, and so many others. As his children progressed through Vandebilt, he was a member of both the Terrier Club and Band Boosters, always assisting with their fundraising efforts. He was instrumental in the 1996 capital campaign to raise funds to construct additional classroom wings at Vandebilt. And, in 1995, he was placed into the Vandebilt Catholic Hall of Fame.

Gerald then turned his volunteer efforts to the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society-the Southdown Museum, where he served on the board. Together with Dr. Allen Ellender, Carroll Toups, Lynn Cinnater, Prosper Toups, and so many others, he helped initiate the biannual "Southdown Marketplace" as a major fundraiser for the museum to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the Parish's signature plantation home. Chief among their efforts was the building of the permanent outdoor Buquet Pavilion which has become a centerpiece for the community. Over the years Gerald volunteered to decorate the museum for Christmas, maintain the massive lawns at Southdown, prepare the grounds for the marketplace, and cook pots and pots of his jambalaya to sell to the attending crowds. He took on a major role in having the footbridge across Bayou Black built, which connected the museum property with the Veterans Park on Hwy. 311, and in the restoring of the worker's cabin on the museum's grounds.

With the constant threat of hurricanes to our area, Gerald became a certified Red Cross disaster relief volunteer. Chief among his efforts was to cook for those displaced by rising floodwaters, especially the "down the bayou" residents with whom he felt a strong connection. As soon as those waters receded, he and his Woodmen crew could be found down Bayou Little Caillou and Bayou Grand Caillou, with all their cooking paraphernalia, providing hot meals for those trying to clean their homes and put their lives back together. After Katrina, he and his lodge members spent days cooking at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, as it had become a shelter for thousands from the New Orleans area. He knew full well that he and his family and community had been spared, so he offered Cajun hospitality to those in great need.

The National Fraternal Congress of America, of which he was a member, awarded Gerald a "Gold Medal" for his outstanding charitable work. He received this tribute in Washington, D.C., with the Louisiana Congressional delegation in attendance. He was also recognized by MacDonell Methodist Children's Services with an award for his outstanding service to our community. In 2012, in recognition of all his volunteer efforts, Gerald was named Terrebonne Parish's "Most Useful Citizen" by the Houma Courier. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Regional Military Museum, and a captain for the Manresa Retreat House in Convent, Louisiana, where he attended retreats for over 50 years. He cooked for countless organizations and groups including The Haven's annual gala, seminarians at Notre Dame in New Orleans, reservists at the Belle Chase Naval Air Station, school faculties, gumbo for the annual Vandebilt Art Club "Soup Bowl," and the yearly St. Francis volunteers Christmas party. For 26 years he served on the advisory board of Fletcher Technical Community College (the Trade School), helping the dean develop programs for students in the automotive field, and providing them with the equipment and technology to further their education.

Over the years, Gerald and Carol journeyed across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Throughout their adventures, they could always be found out on the dance floor. The couple met dancing at the St. Bridget Church fair in 1956, and they loved "cutting a rug" together. They had a great love for Mardi Gras and Gerald was a longtime member of the Krewe of Terreannians, serving on their board. The couple's adventures increased after their retirement, especially to their favorite place-the Smoky Mountains, which they visited from the earliest years of their marriage, returning frequently, often bringing with them their children and grandchildren. Gerald took the greatest pride in being called "Paw-paw."

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff, Heart of Hospice, and the many friends, relations, and neighbors who helped with Gerald's most recent care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gerald J. Collins's name to the endowment fund at Vandebilt Catholic High School.