Obituary of Stephen Albright Collinson

Stephen Albright Collinson was the first child born to Albright Collinson and the only child born to Francis Ruth Howell (Collinson Canlis) on December 27th, 1942, in Wichita, KS. Steve’s parents resided in Winfield, KS, and his father was in the Navy, serving in World War II.

In 1948, Steve and his mother moved to Oklahoma City where he graduated from Classen High School in 1961. Steve went to Oklahoma State University, where he was a Sigma Nu, and graduated with a BA in Political Science. After college, Steve joined the Army National Guard and was awarded The Combat Infantryman Badge for his participation in armed ground conflict in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam. After Vietnam, Steve earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1971. While at the University of Oklahoma, he married Brenda Jo Brown (Johnson), and they had a daughter, Cara. After law school, Steve worked at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and in 1977 moved to Tulsa to work for Texaco.

In Tulsa, Steve began his love of being a landlord and became active in politics, which included running for Oklahoma House Representative in District 70. He was a lifelong Episcopalian and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served as an acolyte master, lay reader, and a member of the St. Andrew Brotherhood. Steve enjoyed traveling all over the world and in 2019, he traveled to Cuba – major bucket list item. Having a lifetime of pets, he and his friend Regina adopted baby kittens - all three lived into their early 20’s. Steve supported his community and was a regular season ticket holder of TU sports, Tulsa Drillers, Tulsa Shock, Tulsa Ballet, and Tulsa Opera. He also loved golf and regularly went to PGA golf tournaments with his brother Craig and played often. He made a hole-in-one at a southwest public golf course in Tulsa about 10 years ago. He was also a long-time runner – he ran multiple Tulsa Runs and the NYC marathon 4 times. Steve loved dancing and going to Grand Lake – he would always say, “It’s great at the lake.” He was fortunate to have wonderful friends and family throughout his life.

Steve was diagnosed with Parkinsons and dementia a few years prior to his death. However, he still lived life to the fullest, even with his new challenges, and continued to make memories with family and friends. He had a devoted team of caregivers – Leah, Julia, and his companion, Alice. Because of these wonderful and supportive individuals, he was able to live at his home for a long

period of time after his diagnosis. The family is thankful to the staff of St. Simeons and Seasons Hospice for Steve’s care for the last 10 months of his life, and family friend Toni, who has always been supportive and loving in happy and challenging times. Steve’s radiant smile, charm, and energy will be greatly missed, but his spirit will always be with us. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his daughter, Cara Collinson Wells (Joseph) of Tulsa; his grandchildren, Madeleine Jo Wells and Alton Albright Wells; his brother, Craig Collinson (Kate), of Evanston, IL; his niece Erin Collinson and nephew Rob Collinson (Sarah); and his first cousins: Peter Collinson, Jane Austin, Paul Austin, Susan Austin, Julianne Smith, and John L. Howell. Services will be held in Tulsa at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at 1:00 pm with a reception afterward. There will also be a graveside gathering in Winfield and the date is still pending. In lieu of Flowers, please make donations to a nonprofit of your choice in Steve’s memory.