Raymond Earl Perkins' Obituary
Raymond Earl Perkins Obituary
Raymond Earl Perkins, born February 16, 1922, passed away of natural causes in Broken Arrow on July 1, 2025. He was 103 years old.
Born in Pittsburg Kansas, raised and went to school in Parsons, Kansas. In 1942 enlisted in the Air Corps but because of being color blind ended up in the Army and trained as a teletype operator. He served his country for approximately 3 years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1945. Soon after his service he met his wife Norma and had 42 years together sharing their lives with their 3 wonderful children. He worked several jobs and ended up working and retired in 1981 from the US Postal Office. In the 90’s he took up volunteering, which lead to the start up of the soup kitchen at First Presbyterian Church for seven years and was also a leader in getting a community relief organization started in 1993 and was director for many years. He helped in many other fundraisers for various individuals and groups over the years. He organized and held class reunions for Parsons, Kansas for the class of 1940 and as it dwindled down, he helped with all class reunions and resigned as chairman in 2009.
He was the President of the 13AF Association and organized their reunions in 2007, 2010, and 2012. He had the honor to be on the first Honor Flight out of Tulsa, OK in June of 2011 and had the honor to be on the Board of directors for the Oklahoma Honor Flights which has sent over 1600 veterans to Washington, DC. Because of his time in the military, he often volunteered to speak to students at Tulsa Schools about the history of World War II.
A few tidbits about Ray: His first car was a red 1946 Ford; first job was delivering ice cream. His hobbies included playing domino’s, which he started back in the 70’s at the post office and has been playing ever since. He loved watching sports such as basketball, football, and bowling. He also played a major part in coaching Jeanne’s softball teams throughout school.
He is survived by his son Terry Perkins (wife-Kim) and daughter Jeanne Harrison (husband Robert). He has 6 grandchildren: Larry Don Perkins, Toby and Rocky Ward, and Victor, Christian, and Melana Karstendiek along with 3 great-grandchildren: Roxi and Bonnie Ward and Lainey Perkins. He was preceded in death by parents Charles and Anna Perkins, his daughter Sherry Ward, and sisters Evva and Joanne.
The funeral services will be held on Friday, July 25th at 3 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 S. 129th E. Ave., Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
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