Frank S. Perkins

The life of Frank S. Perkins,92, expired on Thursday, May 28, 2015. Frank was born to Roy and Anna Perkins on May 7, 1923 in Del Rio, Texas. Frank was married to Alta Dora "Doedoe" Hill of Del Rio on January 1, 1947. They were married 67 years. Frank attended public schools in Del Rio where he was active in boxing and playing football for the Del Rio Wildcats. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, with his friend Bobby Olive, on December 14, 1940. He was in the Pacific during WWII and at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese "sneak attack," December 7, 1941. Frank served aboard three destroyers; USS Ross (563), USS Elliott, and USS MD Anderson (08786). He also participated in troop landings and major sea battles. He was in the Navy for 6 years and remained involved by serving in the Naval Reserve for 37 years. Frank's first career job was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 18 months. In 1948, he began his life career with the State of Texas as a Department of Public Safety trooper for 32 ½ years. In 1955, Frank was on the Pistol Team Championship. He and Travis Lane had many programs around the state to exhibit their skills and teach gun safety. At age 90, he was still qualifying to carry a hand gun. Frank was also nominated twice for Trooper of the Year based on the early warning he provided during the Lake View tornado in 1954 and the apprehension of two bank robbers in 1956. His most satisfying work was locating a young girl that was kidnapped at a football game in Mertzon in December 1967. In 1962, Frank was appointed Safety Officer and remained at this job until retirement in 1980. After retiring from DPS, he worked for the Division of Emergency Management for 18 years and worked many disasters throughout the state. Frank's enjoyments were hunting for arrowheads on his father-in-law's ranch, golf, RV travel, sky-diving, hunting deer and turkey, officiating high school football, volunteering for the San Angelo Relays and drinking coffee with his buddies. Some of his favorite stories were of his daughter, Tana; grandson, Taylor; son-in-law, Jerry; and nephews, Ted Luce and Gerald Hill. The "good times" were playing the best pranks during hunting season and seeing who could tell the most exaggerated deer camp story of the years past. He never tired of telling events that happened as a State Trooper or the times he proudly served in the Navy. He always had an interesting story.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Dora; parents, Roy and Anna Perkins; brother, George Perkins, and nephew, John Perkins.
Those left to cherish Frank's memory are his daughter, Tana and husband Jerry Cox of Midland; grandson, Taylor Cox of Midland; nephew, Mark Perkins and wife Janet of El Paso; nieces, Cherie Melius and husband Mike of Pinos Altos, NM; Georgia Perkins of El Paso and many other nieces, nephews, and dear friends.The family extends their appreciation to Hospice of San Angelo for their care and compassion and to Dr. Charles Jones for his guidance. Many, many thanks to our wonderful and caring sitters, nurses and aides for providing trust, safety and making dad feel secure while in their care.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held 10:30 AM Monday, June 1, 2015, at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.Those wishing to send memorials may do so to West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, TX 76904 or Concho Valley Paws, 4001 Sunset Dr., Ste 1072, San Angelo, TX 76904 or to a charity of your choice in his name.