Dwayne Collett

Dwayne Collett died Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 in London, Kentucky. He was 71.

Dwayne was born December 16, 1954 in Hyden, Kentucky to the late Troy Collett and Opsie (Fields) Collett. He was one of seven children.

Dwayne worked for many years at the Kentucky Department of Transportation, where he retired in 2017.

Dwayne was shy, stubborn, and immeasurably kind. His giving nature extended to friends, family, neighbors, and many members of his community. He did not light up a room, but he filled it with laughter through bad jokes and quick-witted responses. Dwayne spent his days tinkering around his small farm, riding his motorcycle, running errands with his beloved partner, or worrying unnecessarily about his daughter. He was a lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, a staunch democrat, and the world’s best father.

Dwayne is survived by his daughter, Crystal Collett Barnes (John Wesley Barnes) of Frankfort, Kentucky; his life partner, Marjorie VanDiver of London, Kentucky; a brother, Denver Collett of Georgetown, Kentucky; and sisters Mary Scott of Richmond, Indiana, Glenda Philpot of London, Kentucky, and Nancy Martin of Carrolton, Kentucky.

Along with his parents, Dwayne was preceded in death by siblings Corbet Collett and Betty Simpson.

True to his desire to never be a bother to another person, Dwayne requested no services be held in his memory. The family has chosen to honor his wishes.