Born March 20, 1911 in Fork Union, VA, he was the son of the late Ernest Winder Perkins and Lela (Bare) Perkins. He was raised on the family farm, Rose Hill in Fork Union, VA and was a graduate of Fork Union High School in 1930.
In 1932, Mr. Perkins built his own service station which he eventually rented. He built a home in Dixie where he lived with his new bride, Helen Kemple Dunn Perkins. It was while living there they welcomed their first child John Carey.
In 1942, Mr. Perkins brought his family to St. Mary’s County where he worked for a contactor as Patuxent River Naval Air Station was being established. There was no available housing for the workers and their families, so they rented a small apartment above a mortuary in Chaptico, MD. The Navy brought in trailers near the base and soon after the “flattops” were built to accommodate the growing population. While living in Lexington Park, the Perkins welcomed a daughter, Linda. In 1954, be built a home on Route 5 where they resided until Mrs. Perkins became a patient at St. Mary’s Nursing Center and Mr. Perkins moved to Cedar Lane Apartments where he lived until his death. After the war ended, Mr. Perkins became a civil servant in the capacity of Shop Planner at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in the Electrical Department until his retirement in 1973.
Mr. Perkins was a charter member of the Lexington Park Baptist Church where he served for many years as a Deacon. He was also a charter member of Thomas J. Shryock Lodge, 223 in Hollywood, MD. In 1986 he received his 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite of the Free Masons. In the Spring of 2008, Mr. Perkins was recognized for his 60 year membership in his lodge. He had served as Associate Guardian of Bethel 42, International Order of Jobs Daughters.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda P. Chakales of Leonardtown, MD and a son, John C. Perkins of Bowie, MD, five grandchildren; Cheryl McGowan (Tom) of Alpharetta, GA, Brian H. Perkins (Lori) of Davidsonville, MD, Christopher J. Perkins (Autumn) of Edgewater, MD, Meredith C. Taggart (Joseph) of New Castle, DE and Stefanie C. Goings (Todd) of Lexington Park, MD. He is also survived by ten-great grandchildren.
Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Helen Dunn Perkins in 2006, his siblings, Ernest W. Perkins, James N. Perkins, Frank O. Perkins, Mary J. Moss, son-in-law, Dwight E. Chakales and daughter-in-law, Corinne Gerwig Perkins.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by Masonic Memorial Service by the Thomas J. Shryock Lodge #223, Hollywood, MD. Interment will follow in St. George’s Episcopal Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD or the Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
