PERKINS, Elvin D. - b. May 22, 1922 - d. February 20, 2016

[patyrn]

Elvin D. "Perk" Perkins, 93, passed away February 20, 2016 in Olathe, Kansas.  He was born on the family ranch in Union Center Township in Elk County, west of Howard, Kansas, on May 22, 1922, the son of Ralph and Zora (Root) Perkins.

Elvin attended primary school in the one-room Union Center School and then graduated from Howard High School in 1939.  He entered the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas in the Fall of 1939.  While at C of E, he met his future wife, Kathryn L. Prosser.  Elvin wanted to finish college before entering the war, so he enlisted in a program that permitted him to complete his senior year.  He then entered U.S. Navy Midshipmen School on the Notre Dame campus and received his commission.  He was then sent to anti-submarine training and then to the destroyer ship USS Trippe DD 403 on which he spent his military career.  The destroyer served in the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and later the South Pacific Ocean where they escorted other ships to Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Elvin and Kathryn married in Osage City, Kansas on August 9, 1944 while he was home on leave.  Following his discharge, he entered Washburn School of Law in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1948.  While in law school, he clerked for several legislative committees.  In the summer of 1948, they moved to Emporia, Kansas to open a law practice.  Elvin's law practice served a large variety of clients, and he distinguished himself with his peers.

Elvin served on many law-related committees and received many honors related to his profession.  He served on the C of E Board of Trustees, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, and was a board member of Emporia Enterprises, National Teachers Hall of Fame, Regional Development Association, and United Way of the Flint Hills.  He also served on the Emporia City Commission, serving one year as Mayor.  Elvin and Kathryn were active leaders and supporters of the Emporia Arts Council, First Presbyterian Church of Emporia, and Emporia State University music programs.  He was a founding member of the Emporia Community Foundation.

Perk is remembered for displaying his positive outlook and being kind, gracious, and generous to others.  Family is what he cherished most.  Before Kathryn's death, they loved traveling together to explore Europe, Jamaica, and Mexico, as well as many months of March spent in South Florida.

Elvin is survived by two sons and a daughter, John Perkins and wife, Linda of Parkville, Missouri, Steven Perkins and wife, Pamela of Overland Park, Kansas, and Janet Jehle and husband, Charles of Overland Park, Kansas; a brother, Lynn Perkins and wife, Lois of Lawrence, Kansas; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces, in-laws, colleagues, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathryn; his parents, Ralph and Zora Perkins; his brother, Ralph Perkins jr.; and his sister, Louise Byer.

Cremation wishes have been fulfilled.  A memorial service was held February 27, 2016 at the Emporia Presbyterian Church.  Private family inurnment was held in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Emporia Community Foundation Fund for the Future at ECF, 527 Commercial, Suite 501, Emporia, Kansas 66801.  Arrangements have been handled by Signature Funerals of Kansas City, Missouri.

(published in the Emporia Gazette, - 02/23/2016)