Stephen Christopher “Steve” Collins, 49, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Sunday, October 4, 2020, from a valiantly fought, work-related brain cancer. Born March 2, 1971, in Fort Worth, Texas, Steve graduated from Southwest High School in 1989, Tarrant County Junior College Regional Fire Academy in 1992, and Fort Worth Fire Department Fire Academy in 1999. Since he was a young boy, Steve aspired to be a firefighter. In 1992, he began his career with the Haltom City Fire Department. In 1999, he joined the Fort Worth Fire Department, where he first served on the Technical Rescue Team. In 2013, he joined the Bureau of Fire Investigation, where he served for the remainder of his career.

In 2012, Steve was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the Rotary Club and received a Letter of Merit from the lieutenant governor of Texas for his lifesaving efforts in a house fire. In the fall of 2013, he was awarded the “Comeback Firefighter of the Year Award” by the Fort Worth Fire Department.

Steve was a family man who was married to his wife, Carla, for 19 years. Together they have two sons, Pierce (15) and Luke (12). Spending time with family was very important to Steve, whether cheering on his sons at their various sporting events or enjoying their annual spring break camping trips. On his days off, Steve was often found on the golf course or working on home remodeling projects. Over the years, the family dedicated time to traveling together, making memories at Steve’s favorite locations, from the beaches of Hawaii to the mountains of Colorado.

Steve’s greatest acts of determination and bravery came during his 14-year fight with job-related brain cancer, serving as an invaluable research subject in the quest for a cure at MD Anderson, and advocating for cancer fire safety and prevention. He was a founding member of the fire department cancer task force for prevention of job-related illness.