More detail on this person: James W. Perkins
("Jim") roared into heaven at 7:20 am on March 9,
2015. Jim passed away at his home in Davies
Plantation where he and his wife, Margie had lived
for many years. Jim was born on January 8, 1936,
to Mildred and Dwight Perkins in Orleans, Indiana,
and grew up in Bedford, Indiana, where he attended
Bedford High School. After school, Jim went on to
join the United States Marine Corps. Jim served
two tours in Vietnam and was a decorated combat
veteran. During one tour in 1964, Jim survived a
serious helicopter crash in Da Nang River Kontume
Provence. Jim was a Member of the HM364 Helo
Extraction Team and was very proud of his Marine
Corps Heritage. His love of flight caused him to
pursue aviation, and for years after his service,
he loved boring holes in the sky in his free time.
After Vietnam, Jim was stationed in Millington,
Tennessee, and settled in Memphis, where he met
and married his first wife, Shirley Shearon. Jim
and Shirley shared two children, Major Mark
Perkins, USA, and Lisa Taylor of St. Jude Medical.
Jim will be best remembered by the people that he
insured and loved. They considered him a friend
and family member. He was a very accomplished
businessman with outstanding production awards
and was known for his quick response to anyone in
distress. Many times following a storm, he would
take his chainsaw and rush to help people who had
been affected. It was his nature to protect
others, and he carried his Marine Corps character
throughout his life. Jim was preceded in death by
his first wife, Shirley Shearon. In 1986, Jim
married Marjorie Gray Perkins, and they shared a
son, Attorney Timothy A. Perkins. Jim and Margie
were together 32 years and traveled the world
extensively. Jim was a motorcycle enthusiast and
helped with many charity events. He also enjoyed
hunting and woodworking. Jim also left a dear
friend and work associate, Bunny Ezekiel who
together made for a very successful agency. Jim is
survived by and will be immensely missed by his
wife, Margie, his children, Lisa, Mark, and Tim,
and his grandchildren, Hollye, Stephanie, Riley,
and Grayson. Jim also had a terrific extended
family of children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren by Major Mark Perkins's
marriage. He will also be missed by his friend and
brother-in-arms.
From: Lou Darby, USMC.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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