James Hiram Perkins

James Hiram Perkins, the son of William Henry Harrison and Claudia Opal (Taylor) Perkins, was born October 18, 1923, in Gardner, Louisiana and died January 26, 2022, at his home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 98 years, 3 months, and 8 days.

James was baptized and confirmed at the Norphlet Methodist Church in Norphlet, Arkansas. He attended Norphlet Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1941. James then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. During his tour of duty he served in the European Theater in Italy with the 483rd Bomber Group, 840th Squadron as a Ball Turrent Gunner attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant during World War II. He was honorably discharged from active duty and was in the reserves. James attended the University of Arkansas where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. He then was employed at Dallas Chemical Company in Dallas, Texas. When the Korean broke out, he reactivated as an officer in the 71st Chemical Company. During the war, he was in charge of smoke generation creating smoke screens for the troops on the front lines. For his bravery he was awarded the Bronze Star. He remained in the service until he retired as a Major in 1967.

On November 13, 1955, he was united in marriage to Julia Quick in Kingsville, Maryland. They were blessed with three children, Jayne, James Richard, and Joel. The family followed James where he was stationed. After his discharge he received his teaching license from the Springfield University in Springfield, South Dakota. They moved to Audubon, Iowa where he taught Chemistry, Physics, and Electronics for the Audubon Community Schools from 1969 to 1973. He then opened a lab where he did field testing and water testing for the local farmers. James sold the lab and retired. Julia died August 24, 1985. James later married Annette Sewell on September 13, 1986. James and Annette enjoyed traveling to visit his daughter Jayne in the many places she was stationed. James has remained active in the Audubon Community and Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He received the Community Service Award on January 8, 2010. Anette died September 11, 2014. James continued his community service as long as he was able. He enjoyed playing computer games, Sudoku puzzles, and was an avid reader.

Preceding him in death were his wives, Julia Perkins and Annette Perkins; his son James R. Perkins; his parents; his brother Richard Eugene and wife Martha Perkins; and his brother-in-law Harry Quick.

Survivors include his children, Jayne and husband Steven Kelsey of Dixon, Missouri, Joel and wife Melissa Perkins of Hutchinson, Kansas and Keith Perkins of Westminster, Maryland; his daughter-in-law Sylvia Perkins of Audubon, Iowa; his grandchildren: Jonathan Perkins and significant other Emily Brashier of Edmund, Oklahoma, Eugene Huck of Bellevue, Nebraska, Patricia and husband Brad Walser of Richmond, Virginia, William and wife Aubrey Perkins of West Orange, New Jersey, Patrick Perkins of Ames, Iowa, Heather Perkins of Ames, Jennifer Perkins and significant other Nick Eriksen of Omaha, Nebraska, Julia Perkins of Hutchison, Katrina Perkins and significant other Brad Spencer of Nevada, Iowa, Megan Perkins of Hutchinson, Wanda Perkins and husband Treavor Higgins of Monrovia, Maryland, Dorothy and husband Marcus Perkins of Plymouth, Connecticut, and Sylvia Perkins of Washington, D.C.; 5 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; his sister-in-law Mary Quick of Maryland; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.