Charles (Perky) Leroy Perkins

Charles (Perky) L. Perkins, 89, passed away on 13 September 2014 at his home in Roswell, New Mexico. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Perky was born to Walter Allen Perkins and Mary Eva (McCoy) Perkins on April 15, 1925 and raised in the small town of Casey, Illinois. He graduated from Casey Township High School in May, 1943 and inducted into the United States Navy in August, 1943. After Basic training he was sent to the Naval Training School at Purdue University where he was certified as an electrical technician before being sent to Naval Air Technical Training Center at Jackson Florida where in June,1944 he received certification and rating as an Aviation Electrician. Perky served aboard aircraft carriers through the end of World War II, awarded with the American Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal and mustered out of the Navy as Aviation Electricians Mate First Class in 1946. He continued to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation by the State of Illinois in 1947. He entered Finlay Engineering College right out of the Navy, completing the 4 year course of study in just 28 months, and was awarded his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in November, 1948. Perky re-enlisted into the United States Navy in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He again served aboard carriers for two years and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Stars and Navy Occupation Service Medal with “Asia” Clasp. He then served two years Navy Reserve duty, receiving his second Honorable Discharge in May,1954. That same year he went to work for Kansas City Power and Light Company where he worked until retiring in 1984. He was married for nearly 30 years to Virginia (Jenny) L. (Bain) Perkins until her death in 1977. After his retirement, Perky moved to Roswell, New Mexico, to marry Marian Annette Lloyd. Perky and Marian just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2014. Perky and Marian traveled extensively abroad and in the United States with frequent visits to relatives and friends, while finding plenty of time for rock-hounding. Summer months were spent in the cooler high mountain resort of Ruidoso, NM. Throughout his life, Perky tried always to honor his Savior, Jesus. The principles by which he lived were always established by the things he learned and observed in Jesus' life. Perky was an active member of the First Christian Church in Roswell for many years. For many years he was a stateside “Partner” with a northeastern Brazilian mission team where he supported outreach programs of the Gospel, new church plants, and the maturing and development of established churches. Several times he welcomed these Brazilian families in his Roswell home. His hope in Jesus was, upon his death, to be carried into the presence of Jesus and live forever. Perky is survived by his beloved wife Marian Perkins of Roswell, son Mike Perkins and his wife Mary Jane of Kansas City, Missouri, stepson James Lee Lloyd who resides in Miyazaki, Japan with his wife Risaki and their daughter Saera, granddaughter Elisa, grandson Matt, and three greatgrandchildren.

Charles (Perky) Leroy Perkins

April 15, 1925 - September 13, 2014