John Perkins, Sr.

Opelousas A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 1:00 p.m. for John Ray Perkins, Sr. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas, La. Rite of Committal will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Park with the Reverend Monsignor Keith DeRouen as Celebrant.

John Ray Perkins, Sr., age, 87, died on Sunday, July 29, 2012, during the 3 oclock hour the Hour of Mercy. Mr. Ray to many and Paw to his loved ones was a native and lifelong resident to Opelousas.

During World War II, he served his country in the Pacific Theatre as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. His duty was as a communications engineer on a B29 bomber with the 502 D bombardment group in the Air Offensive of Japan. He was decorated and cited for the American Campaign Ribbon, the AsiaticPacific Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Ribbon and one Overseas Service Bar.

After the war, he obtained a Bachelor degree from LSU in 1949 and never lost his passion for Fighting Tiger football. Upon completion of his degree, he assumed the responsibilities as owner and operator of the family business, St. Landry Lumber Company, from 1948 to the present. When he took over the operations of the lumber yard, the business was struggling and he worked tirelessly to turn the business around. Today, St. Landry Lumber Company is a very successful family run business supplying houses and delivering materials to the Louisiana borders of Texas and Mississippi and everywhere in between.

Mr. Perkins had a memory which was unmatched by most. He was one of the last of the true gentlemen with great charm and wit. He brought a smile to the faces of everyone he met. He truly loved his family dog Poppy that he affectionately considered his little buddy.

Paw taught his family, through his example, the importance of being kind to others. He showed them that family should always be your highest priority, after your devotion to God. As a young man, he sacrificed his youth in the most awful war this world has known and the rest of his life was spent sacrificing for his children. His example to his family will live on for generations to come, as his grandchildren and great grandchildren will not soon forget his legacy. In his last months here on earth, he never lost his wit or memory. He would often crack jokes and sincerely ask how his healthcare providers where doing that day. A man, who till then end, put himself last and everyone else first. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, John Ray Perkins, Jr. and wife, Yvonne, of Opelousas, La. James Summers Perkins and wife, Joelyn, of St. Amant, La. David Joseph Perkins of Atlanta, Georgia Chris Perkins of Opelousas, La. Austin Perkins and wife, Angie, of Opelousas, La. his daughter, Lorraine Perkins of Opelousas, La. and his sister, Eva Ann Perkins Kollar of Riverside, CA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, John Ray Perkins, III Christopher Jude Perkins, James Perkins, Jessica Perkins Clouarte, Jordan Perkins, Joshua Perkins, Kalem Perkins, Raven Perkins, Nicholas Perkins, Andy Perkins, Shelley Perkins and 7 great grandchildren.

He is now reunited with his wife of 60 years, Dolores Mestayer Perkins his parents, James Austin Perkins and Eve Guidry Perkins his brothers, Jimmy Perkins, Earl Perkins, Harry Perkins, Douglas Perkins and his sister, Nita Perkins Barousse.

Pallbearers will be: John Ray Perkins, III, Christopher Perkins, Kalem Perkins, Nicholas Perkins, Andy Perkins, James Perkins, Jordan Perkins and Joe Payne.

Visiting hours will be observed in the LafondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, beginning on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mr. Perkins will then be transfered to Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church for a rosary and eulogy before the 1:00 p.m. Mass.

The family would like to extend a thank you to Dr. David Allie and all of the nurses and staff of Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Dr. Paul Dibbs, Dr. James Lipstate, Dr. Michael Burnell and Dr. Patrick Gillespie and all of the nurses and staff of Opelousas General Health System.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Mr. John Ray Perkins to Oschners Health System, Dept. of Philanthropy, 1514 Jefferson Hwy., BH240, New Orleans, La. 70121 The National Camps for Blind Children, P. O. Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska, 685066097 or to any animal rescue group of your choice.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

LafondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, La. 70750, 337 9422638 has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Service

Church

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
1:00 p.m. rosaryeulogy

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
4833 Hwy. 182 South
Opelousas, LA  70570

Memorial Contributions

Dept. of Philanthropy
New Orleans, LA  70121


P. O. Box 6097
Lincoln, NE  68506