Obituary of Richard Perkins

Rev. Richard (Dick) Perkins passed away on Monday, February 22, 2010 after an extended battle with cancer. The son of Edgar F. and Cora Hosmer Perkins, he was born in Fayette, Alabama on August 11, 1920. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940 where he served in the submarine service as a Chief Petty Officer in charge of medical services aboard his ship the Dace during World War II. His ship was involved in a major battle in the South Pacific Leyte Gulf which was a turning point in winning the war. He attended the University of Alabama where he was a pre med student. Prior to graduation he transferred to Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Divinity from the BJU Seminary. Prior to moving to Oklahoma he founded a church in his home community which is functioning today. He also pastured several other churches in Alabama. He moved to Idabel in 1968 where he worked at the McCurtain Memorial Hospital in the lab and X Ray until his retirement. He was a founding member of the Good News Evangelistic Fellowship which had a Christian ministry at the downtown Revival Center and Mission and later the Friendship Baptist Church in Idabel. He was a mentor to many young preachers through the Revival Center with its training lasses and preaching center. He was a supporter and scheduler of Child Evangelism Summer Bible classes throughout the Idabel area for a great number of years. He was a dedicated distributor of Gospel Tracts and was often seen at parades and the local fair handing out tracts. For over thirty years he scheduled and participated in Bible classes at local nursing homes. After his retirement he served as a chaplain of the day at the hospital. He was active in the Idabel Ministerial Association, a Board Member of Hand to Hand, Inc. Christian Indian Ministries at Ringold, Oklahoma, Good News Evangelistic Association, a charter member of the McCurtain Gem and Mineral Club and active member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel. He was a bee keeper and gardener who delighted in giving away his honey and produce to the local nursing homes and other friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis and Clyde Perkins. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris W. Perkins, three sons, Tim Perkins (Ann) from Ardmore, Jon Perkins (Debbie) from Batesville, Arkansas, Andy Perkins (Claudia) Calera, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Abbi Perkins, Melissa Perkins Boydstun: Norma Perkins, Virginia Linville, Amber McIntyre: one brother, Clyde Perkins (Betty) from Sylacauga, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Bertram Bobb Bible Camp of Ringold (HC 68 Box 445-3 Ringold, OK 74754) or Good News Evangelistic Association (Rt. 2 Box 191, Westville, OK 74965) is suggested. Family visitation will follow the memorial service at the church. Mr. Perkins will lie in state at the funeral home.