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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Gordon Richard

Gordon Richard Perkins Profile Photo

Perkins

September 19, 1930 – June 16, 2016

Obituary

Gordon Richard Perkins, the son of Ray and Elva (Heilman) Perkins was born September 19, 1930 at Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 28 days.
Gordon grew up on a farm southwest of Red Oak. He attended country school and then Red Oak High School until the middle of his senior year, when the family moved to Cambridge, Nebraska. Gordon graduated from Cambridge High School in l948. He moved to Yuma, Colorado where he worked as an electrician. Gordon was drafted and entered the U.S. Army on February 11, 1952, serving most of his time guarding the Panama Canal Zone. He was honorably discharged on January 29, 1954 and returned to Red Oak, working as an electrician. Gordon was united in marriage to Joan Houtchens on February 12, 1956 at Stanton, Iowa. To this union two daughters were born, Elaine and Denise. In 1956, Gordon began his 31 ½ year career with the U.S. Postal Service in Red Oak as a letter carrier, walking nearly 80,000 miles. During this time, Gordon also owned and operated Perkins Electric from January of 1957 until 2008. He also helped part-time at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home from the early 1960's until 2010. He was a friendly guy, loved to help others and his community, and was a firm believer in the American Red Cross Blood Drive. Over the years, he donated 205 units of blood before he could no longer give due to health reasons. Gordon was a member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the board for many years, Elks Lodge #1304, and American Legion Post #67. He was a longtime active member of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor, spending many hours helping with the construction and electrical wiring of the new building. He had also been honored by the Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department as an Honorary Member. Gordon was an old car enthusiast, belonging to the Classy Chassis Car Club for years and Eastern Nebraska & Western Iowa Chevy Club. Gordon and Joan own a l931 Model A Ford, 1956 Chevy and 1968 Pontiac LeMans, that they loved to show and drive in area parades. He was a big sports fan, having attended the Drake relays for over 40 years, and College Baseball World Series. Gordon treasured his girls dearly and loved to spend time with them, their husbands, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Perkins of Red Oak, IA; two daughters: Elaine Hollen and husband John of Red Oak, IA; and Denise Leibold and husband Jerry of Clarksville, IA; three grandchildren: Andy (Trina) Rea, Kelsey Hollen and Jamison (Alicia) Leibold; four great-grandchildren: Amber, Jackson, Will and Austin Rea, along with an expected great-grandson Leibold in August of 2016; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Funeral Service will be held
Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 10:00 AM
First United Methodist Church, Red Oak
Burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak with military rites.
Pastor Darrell Hopp, Officiating
Visitation with the family present on Monday, June 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
Family request memorials in lieu of flowers to a memorial in Gordon's name.
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Viewing and Visitation

June
20

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home

509 North 6th Street, Red Oak, IA 51566

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Funeral Service

June
21

First United Methodist Church

600 E Hammond St, Red Oak, IA 51566

Starts at 10:00 am

Graveside Service with Military Rites

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