John Richard Perkins died on July 27, 2022 at his home in Umatilla from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70.
He was born on Sept. 25, 1951 in Pendleton to John “Jack” Bony Perkins and E. Bernice Price Perkins.
He quit school in the 10th grade to support his mother, driving truck for local farmers. He joined the United States Navy on April 15, 1970. John was united in marriage to Jeanne R. Otis on Dec. 24, 1970 in Pendleton. He served three tours in Vietnam on the USS Midway before his honorable discharge on April 15, 1976. John worked as an electrician for Union Pacific Railroad at Hinkle from 1976 until 1986. He then worked as an electrical supervisor for Ash Grove Cement in Durkee until retiring in 1998.
John served as mayor of Stanfield from 1980 until 1984; he was the local IBEW #112 president from 1984 until 1986; was active in Milton Lodge #96 of the Masons and Shriners; rode motorcycle escort unit in the food caravan for the Oregon Food Bank; and served as Santa for 13 years from 2008 until 2021 throughout Umatilla County, the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, Wash. He was a member of MORA and the Veterans and Friends of Oregon motorcycle clubs, organizing poker runs and raising money for Shriners Hospital. John loved riding motorcycles, camping, fishing, crabbing, boating and photography.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeanne Perkins; daughter, Stacy Perkins Bell (John Bell); son, Sean Perkins (Farrah Logan); grandchildren, Camron, Lindsey and Riley; sister, Ona Knights; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Walt Hinkle; and a brother, Robert E. Doddroe.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital or Vange John Memorial Hospice.
Please share memories of John with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
