Thomas C. Perkins Jr.

Colonel Thomas C. Perkins (U.S. Army, retired) passed away peacefully on May 9, 2016, in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Born in Columbus, Georgia on January 18, 1931, he was the eldest of the four children of Thomas C. Perkins, Sr., and Mary Hudson Perkins. Following his family’s move to Macon, he attended public schools there, graduating from Lanier Senior High in 1947. From Mercer University he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and, through the ROTC, received a second lieutenant’s commission. During his 27-year military career he fulfilled various assignments, including overseas tours in Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany (twice), and Vietnam. While assigned to instruct the ROTC unit at Indiana University, he earned an M.B.A. degree.

After retirement from the army, he lived in Marietta, Georgia for several years while employed by Texas Instruments. In over two decades of teaching the same Bible class at Eastside Baptist Church, he made numerous, lifelong friends. At Park Springs retirement community in Stone Mountain he coordinated the Cornerstone Fellowship, a weekly worship service. Loving the game throughout his adult years, he played golf whenever he had the chance.

Colonel Perkins is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy (nee Hamilton); daughter Patricia Garrison of Dallas, Texas; son Thomas C. Perkins III of Colbert, Georgia; and three great grandchildren. His adult grandchildren are Rebekah Bailey, Howard Garrison III, and Dorothy Garrison—all of Dallas Texas; Kacey Perkins of New Haven, Connecticut; James Thomas Perkins and Tyler Perkins of Fairfield, Connecticut; and Eric Perkins of Athens, Georgia. Also surviving are sister Jo Ann Respess and her husband Herbert, of Moore, South Carolina; and brother Alfred Perkins of Ormond Beach, Florida. Another brother, James, and a daughter, Paula, preceded Colonel Perkins in death.

Iinterment will be in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, with a service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13.

Arrangements under the direction of Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Snellville, GA.