Thomas Louis Perkins

Thomas Louis Perkins, age 80, of Henderson, Nevada and Derby, New York, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022. He was born February 25, 1942 in Buffalo, New York to his parents Mildred Continelli and Harold Campbell. Thomas spent the majority of his life in Derby, New York. At the age of 17, He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 4, 1959. While serving in in the U.S. Army, he would meet the love of his life,"Schatz", in Berlin, Germany.

On December 23, 1961, Thomas would marry the love of his life Baerbel Rau at the United Church of Christ in Hamburg, New York. Together the couple would begin an adventure that would span over the next 61 years. They were blessed with two children: Christine and Todd. As Christine’s family grew, Tom and Barb were excited to welcome three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

On April 17, 1962, Thomas completed his honorable service with the U.S. Army in the "C' Battery 3rd BN. 37th Arty and continued to serve another three years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was an SP4 E4 in Intelligence and carried top-secret information where he was given his own personal jeep and traveled throughout many countries. He obtained his high school diploma through the United States Armed Forces Institute European Division and then obtained his Certificate of Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army on February 28, 1965. Tom then moved on to study and train to be an engineer on the railroad. Through his hard work, he retired as an Engineer for Conrail Railroad in Buffalo, New York. In addition to his time on the railroad, Thomas built two successful businesses from the ground up; Southwestern Storage Facility and East Evans Country Depot, both located in Angola, New York, where he would work long hours and lose track of time meeting and talking to countless people, making lifelong friends, and selflessly helping anyone in need.

In the 80's and 90's he was very involved with Boy Scouts Troop 591 with his son. In 1993, Tom received one of the highest awards the Boy Scouts could give someone called the "Silver Beaver". He also belonged to a gun club and enjoyed hunting with his buddies. He became a top-rated electrician and electrical inspector and an all-around handyman, a true jack of all trades. Throughout his entire life, he enjoyed collecting, repairing and even playing with his vintage train sets.

Tom and Barb did the most selfless blessing and adopted their children. Tom had an immeasurable bond with his daughter Christine and made her feel special by calling her "pumpkin" and "baby." Always patient and encouraging her to be the best she could be by teaching her over and over until it clicked; continuously supportive until no end, building a supportive foundation for anything she could dream of; all while ensuring he was present for his demanding job. Although he put himself into his work, he made sure to always be present for his family, giving the best pep talks and making family memories. Some of the most notable being a trip to Sherkston Beach in Canada, Tom throwing his daughter into the waves and having her swim back to him and do it over and over until she was exhausted from taking in too much water. Another would be their German Christmas traditions and they would sing Christmas carols together as a family sitting around the piano that Barb played and Christine the flute. Christine shares, "my dad really was one of a kind and we shared a bond that is indescribable. He was tragically taken too soon from our family and I don't know how we will ever make it through without him and his joyous spirit and his infectious laugh. The gift my father gave me every day of my life was that he believed in me. My father never told me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. He shaped my self-esteem, self-image and confidence. He was my role model who laid a foundation of security, trust and love. My daddy is "forever my hero"."

After Tom's daughter moved to Nevada, the grandkids would come out for weeks at a time during summer break where they would spend time together and help at his businesses, including letting them sit in the candy aisle for long periods of time while contemplating what sweet treat they would enjoy on the truck ride home. Sharing his love for people and his blue-collar businesses, this gave the kids a foundation for hard work as well as letting them have fun. He would take them on tractor rides in the back yard and walk the trails of the deep woods searching for animals behind their beautiful Derby home. He would take the kids to their extracurricular activities; including soccer, lacrosse, tennis, tap dance and sewing, the imprinted memories of going to sturgeon point to walk the boat docks and get ice cream, then come home to play War cards with his grandkids. After long days at work, he would rush home for dinner with his family and then fall asleep in his favorite chair with his daughter laying on top of him, and then years later the grandkids doing the same. As the grandkids grew older, he was able to keep them close by always checking in, sharing advice and making sure they felt loved. No distance could change this relationship. When his grandson Kyle needed some extra guidance, Kyle went to NY for a period of time to wherein he flourished there with the immeasurable support from his Opa and Oma.

Tom, also known as Opa to his grandchildren, loved engaging with his grandkids, making the kids laugh with his famous impersonation talking like Donald Duck and drawing his infamous Kilroy drawing from WWII. He also shared many stories of his experiences and adventures, or even adventures of others he had crossed paths with.

Tom did the same once his great grand kids were born. He loved to hear them make noises and talking to them via FaceTime and watch all of the video's his granddaughters shared. Once he retired and relocated to Nevada in 2021, he was all about showing the littles his old toys, games, instruments and crafts that he collected over the years. He did crafts and baked goodies with his eldest granddaughter Adelynn and would build block towers and play old instruments with his "partner," JT. Opa also enjoyed playing with building blocks and classic cars with Arcadia & also “partner” Jojo. They would run to the pantry where he would sneak the kids gatorades, cookies and candies. Jojo would grab his Opa to walk him around the house to look at all of Oma‘s various plants and all the the decor around the house with one of JoJo’s favorites being a big elephant planter. Arcadia would love to show her Opa dances & new tricks in the pool. Opa enjoyed telling them stories and watching the children play.

Tom was a type of person you could sit down and talk to for hours and it would feel like minutes. He truly made you feel important and engaged with you the entire time. He was beloved by everyone he encountered. Thomas was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who was truly devoted to his family. His mark was left on everyone he encountered, and the void of his loss can never be filled.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Kyle High “KT"; and sister, Diane Price. He is survived by his wife Baerbel (Rau) Perkins;brother, Phillip Perkins; Children: Christine Perkins Erickson (Daniel Sauls) and Todd Perkins; grandchildren: Felicia “Tink” Tarin (Nicolas) and Chelsea Erickson (Joseph Attinello); and great grandchildren: Adelynn, Jaymeson, Arcadia and Joseph III.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. He will be laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Perkins family.