Donald Erwin Hollins
September 27, 1959 – September 24, 2021
Donald Erwin Hollins, 61, of Bloomfield Hills, MI, passed on on September 24, 2021, and was born on September 27, 1959.
Funeral Services are on
Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00pm, 1:00pm family hour
Thompson Funeral Home – Dexter Chapel
7643 Dexter Ave, Detroit, MI 48206
Public Viewing
Friday, October 1, 2021, from 9 am – 8 pm
Please be respectful of others and wear a mask when attending services.
Livestream
OBITUARY
Donald Erwin Hollins was born in Detroit to Theophis E. Hollins, Sr., and Nettie Reen Hollins on September 27, 1959. He was the youngest of four sons. He departed this life unexpectedly, yet peacefully on September 24, 2021, at the age of 61.
He attended classes within the Detroit Public School System through high school. Donald “Duck”, as his teammates called him, wearing jersey No. 67, enjoyed playing football. After graduation from Henry Ford High School in 1977, he had several jobs, including bank teller and tax work. After joining the Detroit Police Department, he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Donald was disciplined in his endeavors. He attended Cooley Law School and passed the Michigan Bar Exam on his first attempt!
Over his lifetime he developed a mastery of “gameology” and scholarship. He played to win with a crafty and honest set of skills. Whatever the game.
Don enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends. He was the Hollins Family Genealogist and shared his detective-like insight for ancestry research. Don was always able to fix the problem, especially when “Ask Google/YouTube” became popular. Don shared life lessons, financial wisdom, and was the “go-to guy”. He was generous with his love, knowledge, and passions.
Growing up in Detroit, with his three brothers, life was good. His parents provided a loving atmosphere filled with Christian values. New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church was their church home.
On Valentine’s weekend in 2001, he married the love of his life, Doris Harber. Donald, Jr., and David completed their circle of love. The family was their focus.
Donald E. Hollins, Sr. is preceded in death by his father Theophis E. Hollins Sr, his brother Gerald B. Hollins and his beloved mother Nettie R. Hollins. Donald is survived by his wife Doris Hollins, two sons, Donald E. Hollins Jr., and David E. Hollins, and brothers Theophis Jr. (Marcia) and Marshall B. Hollins, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, family, friends, and loved ones.
A Good Bye Letter
I had it all ready but not ready to give
Yesterday, today, definitely not tomorrow
Our plans, preparation, growth, love
You’ve been so much to me, our family, my family, your family, our friends
Beautiful life, filled with growing, living, working
I have all that you have given me
I have all the memories we’ve shared, I have the life we shared
We are here now, adjusting, developing the new whole
Without a life force so strong
The love you gave us will seal our whole
The knowledge, care, guidance, marriage, fatherhood,
will be with us forever in our tomorrows
Good Bye Husband, Friend, Lover
I feel your energy
Going Home
Acknowledgment of Appreciation
The Hollins family acknowledges with deep appreciation the comforting messages, floral tributes, and other expressions of kindness. A more personal acknowledgment will be made at a later time. Special thanks to the Detroit Police Department for their support during this time.
So sad to heat this terrible news. Donald was my neighbor on Avon in Detroit. We lived on the same street and although he was older and went to school with my older brothers, he was a kind and funny guy. Prayers to the family, friends and DPD family for this good man.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to the Hollins family. We wish you strength, courage, and peace at this difficult time.
God has called one of his most beloved children back home. Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed.
May the love of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, our most heartfelt condolences.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
MR. THEOPHILUS E. SMITH JR.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Don was a kind, considerate, intelligent, and thoughtful man. He was witty and a good conversationalist. He was a wonderful, supportive father to David. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. RIP Don.
Your friend,
Rob
Sending love and light to the Hollins family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.