US Navy civilian employee Reginald Collins is found dead on USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia

A U.S. Navy civilian employee was discovered dead on the USS George HW Bush at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia earlier this month.

Reginald Collins, 44, was found unresponsive around 2pm December 7 while aboard the ship. He was later pronounced dead.

The member of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's temporary services department passed away four days after his 44th birthday.

'Out thoughts and condolences are with the employee's family, friends and coworkers,' a spokesperson with the naval shipyard said in a statement.

The cause of his death has not been disclosed as the Naval Criminal Investigation Service is currently investigating the incident.

The day after he was found unresponsive, a ship-wide standdown was conducted to 'address safety, grief and counseling options,' the spokesperson said.

Another standdown was organized on December 11 by the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, according to the statement.

Additional 'support options' were provided by the Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program for civilian workers in need.

Collin's celebration of life service was held Monday at Metropolitan Funeral Services in Norfolk, Virginia. He was buried the same day.

Before his unexpected death, Collins had been a pipefitter at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for the last 12 years.

Collins was a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and a deputy at the Sheriff’s Department of Indiana, according to his obituary .

'Reggie was known for his profound intelligence learning the language of Farsi while in Afghanistan,' the obituary reads.

The 44-year-old was also a business owner of Up In Smoke BBQ 'where he showed precise smoking, barbecuing and cooking skills.'

'Reggie’s other past times included his love of boxing and watching his favorite team win or lose, the New York Jets,' the obituary reads.

Collins was survived by his wife, Chiquita Collins, and four children, Israel, Jayden, Carlos Hunt and London Joyner.

The shipyard's spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing, and no further information has been released.