Walter Ray Perkins

As coach of the University of Alabama from 1983-86, the Petal, Miss. native remembers his temperament could have been better back in the day.

“I’ve mellowed. I place family and the Lord above football,” Perkins said recently. “I am a better husband, better father, better person.”

On Wednesday, he went to be with his Lord and savior. He died peacefully at his home in Tuscaloosa, according to his family.

Perkins, 79, coached at the pro and college levels for over 40 years. He is best known among college football fans, of course, as the man who succeeded Paul “Bear” Bryant as head coach at Alabama.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa, daughters, Rachael and Shelby, and sons, Mike and Tony. He also is survived by a sister, Susie, and grandchildren Tyler and Barrett, nieces, Cindy Higgason and Joanie Woods.

He was preceded in death by parents Woodrow and Imogene Perkins of Petal, Miss. and a sister, Shirley.

A visitation will be held Monday December 14, 2020 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Church of the Highlands in Tuscaloosa with Dr. Jeff Clark, Lead Pastor at Venture Church of Hattiesburg, Miss. officiating, with the funeral service to follow. The funeral home is in charge of the service. Any questions regarding the funeral can be directed to Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, A Dignity Memorial Provider at (205) 553-3555. Those who cannot attend can watch virtually: Zoom ID 963-4154 3620.

A graveside service will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Mike Higgason, Jimmy Carol, Nevill Barr, Bill Maxey, Chris Inman, Jim Smith, Tyler Perkins and Barrett Perkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be David Neutze, Gerry Phillips, Wayne Atchison, Willie Goyne, Mike Shula, Cedric Burns, Shane Bolt, Richard Cole and Richard McCarthy, Joe Phillips, John David Neutze, Joshua Neutze, Jake Neutze, James Paul Neutze and J.D. Simpson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Ray Perkins Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund in care of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Foundation, Box 870343, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

Perkins coached the Crimson Tide from 1983-1986 and put together a record of 32-15-1 during that time, including a 3-0 record in bowl games. He eventually left Alabama following the 1986 season and signed a lucrative contract to take the head coaching job with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Before Perkins took the Alabama job following the 1982 season he was head coach of the New York Giants. Perkins’ successor with the Giants, Bill Parcells, would go on to win two Super Bowls. Perkins’ coaching tree includes Parcells, Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennell.

After leaving the the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Perkins coached at Arkansas State University and then later spent time in the Mississippi junior college ranks, coaching at Jones County Junior College. In two years at JCJC, Perkins guided the Bobcats to a 15-5 record.

From 1964-66 he was a wide receiver at Alabama. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts and played five years there. He played in Super Bowl III in 1969 and Super Bowl V in 1971 when the Colts were Super Bowl Champions.

Ray also served seven years in the Army National Guard.

Condolences may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com