Longtime Texas banker and Texas Longhorn Hall of Famer Jack Altman Collins passed away on August 9 at the age of 82. He was born in Beaumont, but the family moved to Dallas when Collins was in grade school. A graduate of Highland Park High School, he played on the 1957 state championship football team and was recently inducted into the Ring of Honor at Highland Park High School.
At the University of Texas, Collins played halfback for the Longhorns (1959–61) under Coach Darrell Royal and was named to the All-Southwest Conference in 1959. During Collins’ time with the Longhorns, the team won two conference titles and finished the year ranked among the top four twice. While he was a halfback, he displayed versatility for the team by playing on offense, defense and special teams.
Collin’s photograph appeared on the cover of the first Texas Football magazine in 1960, and he was named to the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1982. His father, Jack Collins Sr., was a three-sport star for Texas in the 1930s and was also inducted into the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1976. With Collins Jr.’s induction in 1982, they became the only father/son duo to be inducted into the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor. After graduating from the University of Texas with a BBA degree, Collins played briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then the Dallas Cowboys.
Collins began his banking career with Republic National Bank of Dallas and earned a degree from the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He moved to Austin in 1974 to work at First City National Bank, serving first as vice president and then president. He went on to become president of the Bank of the West and then president and CEO of City National Bank of Austin. From 2001 to 2008, he served as a market president with Frost Bank and was an advisory director at Frost Bank from 2008 until 2022.
Collin’s community involvement included serving as a board member of Boy Scouts of America, the Trail Foundation, Austin Chamber of Commerce, YMCA and United Way. He volunteered as a coach for the West Austin Youth Association and tutored students with Austin Partners in Education. He loved his early morning runs on Austin’s Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail with his fellow runners of all ages, followed by a swim in Barton Springs Pool. A modest man who did not seek the limelight, he was known for his compassion and integrity.
Collins is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Chapman Collins, and his two children, Allison Collins Proctor (Donald) and Carleton Burke Collins (Rene). He is also survived a brother and sister, and six grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made in Collin’s name to The Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 6332, Austin, Texas 78762; to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78759; or to a charity of your choice. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on October 14 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School McGill Chapel, 1112 W. 31st St. in Austin.
