Charles Edwin Perkins

Charles Edwin Perkins went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 25, 2012. Charles was born on July 14, 1933 and raised in Nacogdoches, Texas. He came to know Jesus Christ at a young age and lived his life intentionally to bring glory and honor to God.

Charles met Connie Ruth Oliver on a blind date and made her his beloved wife on November 28, 1958. He loved Connie a great deal. They spent 54 years together and had 2 sons, Richard and John.

Charles enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a kind, funny, and helpful father and grandfather who loved his family unselfishly and was fondly called “Papa.” He loved to laugh and make others laugh.

Charles served his country in the U.S.Navy 1953-1957. He attended and graduated from LeTourneau Technical Institute and North Texas State University where he received his master’s degree. His first teaching job was at Reagan County High School in Big Lake Texas. Later, he was an industrial arts teacher at Travis High School in Austin. Charles was instrumental in helping to start Austin Community College’s drafting department where he taught. He was also an instructor in the mechanical engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin where he retired in 1995.

He provided for his family well and he and Connie were active in their churches. Charles taught a college Sunday school class for many years. He and Connie were active in the prayer ministry at Hyde Park Baptist Church. According to Connie, “It soon became clear to him that God was leading them to serve Him through prayer.” Charles had a special place in his heart for college age young adults. He spent many hours witnessing to students in his school office and classes with his caring spirit and love.

He and Connie bought some land in East Texas near Palestine which he named Beulah Land. The Perkins men cleared trees and brush and built a cabin and fence together. These were some of Charles’ best good times. His sons felt that Charles could build anything from wood.

Charles and Connie joined the Texas Baptist Men Builders in 1995. They traveled around the U.S. and Canada helping to build churches, furniture, and apartments, repair buildings at youth camps and work on the Canadian Seminary. Charles greatly enjoyed the fellowship among these people. He will always be remembered for his cartooning skills depicting some of their shared experiences which so entertained his fellow builders.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Connie and his children: Richard Edwin Perkins (Cindy) of Pflugerville and John Eric Perkins (Rachel) of Round Rock. He has five grandchildren: Lacey, Katie, Elijah, Hannah, and Olivia.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Edwin Perkins, and his sister Charlotte Reader.

The family of Charles Perkins would like to thank Retirement and Nursing Care Center on Burnet Lane and Hospice of Austin and Christopher House for their excellent care and kindness during Charles’ illness.

A memorial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Hyde Park Baptist Church in the Chapel located on 3901 Speedway in Austin. The family welcomes former classmates, friends, former students, Texas Baptist Men Retirees Builders wearing their green jackets, and whomever would like to come.