Fundraiser helping family of father and son killed by falling tree at Columbus golf course
A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of a father and son who died on a Columbus golf course Sunday.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said 58-year-old Matthew Terrell Collins Sr. and his son, 29-year-old Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., were pronounced dead at 6:06 p.m. Sunday at Bull Creek Golf Course in Midland.
Bryan said the victims were playing golf and took refuge under a tree while in their golf cart. A storm caused the tree to fall on them, resulting in bunt-force trauma, according to Bryan.
The GoFundMe account, set up by Dustin Longnion, has met its $20,000 goal — raising $23,876 from 375 donations as of 1:45 p.m. Tuesday — to help cover the cost of the funeral and memorial expenses.
The account says, “Matthew Jr. was a loyal friend, a kindhearted soul, and someone who always showed up for the people in his life. He shared a deep bond with his father, and losing both of them so suddenly is a devastating blow to everyone who knew and loved them.”
A statement on the GoFundMe from Tabetha Collins, Matthew Terrell Collins Jr.’s sister, says, “Thank you from the depths of our hearts for everyone’s outpouring of love toward our brother and father’s funeral costs. Your kindness has been a true blessing during one of the hardest times of our lives.”
She goes on to say, “We thank God for putting such loving and supportive people like you in our lives. Your generosity lifted a burden we couldn’t have carried alone, and we are forever grateful. May God continue to cover us all in this time of grief. Thank you all so much.”