"Sorry to hear about Jr. he was a good person to everyone here in Hastings, he will be missed dearly....GOD bless you all"
In loving memory of
Jesse Junior Perkins
October 12, 2009
Jesse Junior Perkins, age 84, died at his home in Hastings, IA on Monday, October 12, 2009.
Jesse Junior Perkins was one of six children of Jesse Ray Perkins and Josephine (Kerby) Perkins. He was born on May 10, 1925 at Mendota, Missouri, where he attended Beatty School through the 8th grade.
Junior moved away from his home in Missouri at age 15 to work on a farm near Grinnell, Iowa to help support his mother and the rest of his family. On May 8, 1944, he entered the United States Army serving during World War II. He was wounded in Italy on April 16, 1945 and received a Purple Heart Victory ribbon with an honorable discharge on October 30, 1945.
Upon returning from the war, he settled in Tabor, Iowa to be near his family. There he met and married Lois Arlene Jones on October 6, 1947. They lived in Tabor and various other Iowa towns before moving to Hastings, Iowa in the late 1950's.
Junior was employed as a dozer operator, owner/operator of a plumbing and well service where he dug wells both by hand and by machine. He retired as owner/operator of Perkins Service, an auto repair and gas station in Hastings. Junior and his wife also purchased several properties and homes to restore in the Hastings area.
Fishing, whittling, camping, traveling and hunting wild mushrooms and berries were just a few of the many hobbies that Junior enjoyed. He strongly believed peroxide, vinegar, garlic, and ash tree root juice (kick-a-poo juice as he called it) would cure anything.
Junior was a member of the Emerson American Legion Post 575 for 64 years. He was a member of the Hastings Volunteer Fire Department for 30 plus years. Junior was baptized and was a member of the Hastings United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Perkins; sisters, Ruth Donovan and Loeita Bachelor; brothers-in-law, Wayne Jones, Max Jones, Harry Jones, Elmer Donovan, and Max Bachler; sisters-in-law, Gayle Perkins and Carol Jones; father-in-law, Orville Jones and mother-in-law, Anna Jones Tillberg; and daughter-in-law, Susan Kay Perkins.
Junior passed away on October 12, 2009 while at his home following a brief illness. He attained the age of 84 years, 5 months, and 2 days.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lois Perkins; four children, Jesse "Jay" W. Perkins and his wife Susan, Russell Perkins and his wife Betty, all of Hastings, Pat Trainer and her husband Jerry of Lincoln, NE, and Carol Hanssen and her husband Randy of Urbandale, IA; fifteen grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; sisters, Delores Farris and husband Byron of Moberly, MO and Roberta Cochran and husband Dan of Bolivar, MO; sisters-in-law, Shirley Jones of Council Bluffs, IA, Virginia Johnston and husband Jim of Gilbert, AZ, and Clara Mohatt and husband Frank of Chandler, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Tributes
"Dear Carol, Randy and Perkins Family: Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time. The Andrade Family"
"Dear Perkins family: We are grieving your loss with you. We have had many fun times with alot of you and you all feel like family to us. "Family" is also all the friends we make along our journey in life. So here's to remembering the good times with Junior as family and friends. Take care. With sympathy. Craig & Mary"
"It seems like yesterday that I spent many days and nights at the Perkin's home while we were growing up. I remember your dad as being a very caring family man and so proud of all of his children, as well as being a dedicated and loyal husband to your mother. You all were very lucky to have had him in your life. Just remember that he is not gone, he is just away and will see you again. "
"Dear Lois and the whole Perkins' gang, Our family was extremely saddened to have heard of your loss. It was only a couple months ago we lost grandpa (Art Goodwin). So we are in great understanding of the pain and loss you are feeling. Know that we have you in our thoughts. Remember the good, remember the bad, Remember the wonderful times you had; Over time you'll forget the good, the bad won't seem nearly so bad, but don't you DARE forget those times you had! I imagine Junior and grandpa are together there, so they'll have great company in each other. I bet they're still talking about whose fish is 'bigger'! Take care, Lois, hang in there. Sincerely, Barbara (Vance) Deardorff and family Sandra (Goodwin) Vance Samantha Vance and family Angela (Vance) Hunt and family"
"Jay and Susan and the rest of the Perkins family, Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.With sympathy,The Evans."
"Carol, Randy and the rest of the Perkins family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, DIS and the rest of Central Office."
"Jay, Susan, and family, It is always hard to lose a father and grandfather. They have such a special place in our lives that is to be treasured. Sending our love, Lowell and Deb Forristall"
"I wish we could be there to help ALL OF YOU through this difficult time!!! This is a time in OUR LIVES THAT WE ARE ALL THE SAME!!! Because we have a loss!! Yet the SAME EXPERINCE IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH PERSON!!! REMEMBER THE GOOD, REMEMBER THE BAD, REMEMBER THAT WE ARE WHO WE ARE BECAUSE THEY WERE A PART OF OUR LIVES!!!! There has ALWAYS GOT to be a little rain sometime!!"
"I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.Junior was always smiling and positive,even after his eye sight started to fail.He was wonderful neighbor to my mom in her later years.My thoughts are with you and your family. Linda Schilb and family.."
"Dear Perkins Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Mike and Mary Krueger"