PERKINS, Donny Gene "Don" - b. November 20, 1936 - d. July 12, 2022

[patyrn]

Donny Gene "Don" Perkins passed away at the age of 85 on July 12, 2022 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  He was born November 20, 1936 to Emma Bernadine (Moore) and Earl E. Perkins six miles west of Howard, Kansas in the family home. 

Don attended Union Center rural school and graduated from Howard High School in 1954. He graduated from Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas in 1958, studying Animal Husbandry.  He was a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. 

After graduation, Don returned to the cow/calf ranch near Howard and helped create Earl Perkins & Sons with his father and brother, Bill.  This continued the ranching operation that has now existed for over a hundred years.  In 1963, he married Shelby Wells of Independence, Kansas.  Three sons were born to this union, Rick, Patrick, and Philip.

Don served on many committees and boards throughout his lifetime.  Those capacities were as president of Caney Valley Electric Co-Op, president of Elk County Farm Bureau, Howard Fair Board President, and on the 4-H Sale Committee.  He served on the Soil Conservation Board for many years.  He was on the Extension Council, was a 4-H leader, and served on the Howard High School Alumni Board. 

Through the years, many awards were given to the ranch for Soil Conservation Practices and Range Management.  The ranch, the pasture, and the cattle were his real passions.

Don is survived by his wife, Shelby Sue of Howard, Kansas; his brother, Bill (Ramona Sue) Perkins of Howard, Kansas; his sons, Rick (Susan) Perkins of Wichita, Kansas, Patrick (Julie) Perkins of Howard, Kannas, and Philip Perkins of Shawnee, Kansas; grandchildren, Tegan (T.J.) Ulmen of Goddard, Kansas, Emily and fiance Brody Nicholas of Osage City, Kansas, Angela Perkins of Manhattan, Kansas, and Christina Perkins of Howard, Kansas; and great-grandchild, Quincy Ulmen of Goddard, Kansas.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Bernadine; his father, Earl; and his sister, Betty Jo. 

Memorial service will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Howard United Methodist Church in Howard, Kasnas with Pastor Katy Jordan officiating.  Services will be availabe for viewing under his obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.  The family has requested  memorial contriubtions be made payable to the Howard United Methodist Church and may be left in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Avenue, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337 which has been entrusted with arrangements.  To leave an online message of condolence or to share a memory, visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com. 

(taken from the Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel website)