Honduras RPCV John E. Perkins dies in Bartlesville
Funeral services Wednesday for former city councilman
By E-E Staff Reports
Funeral services for John E. Perkins, 62, a former Bartlesville city councilman and local business owner who died Friday in the emergency room of Jane Phillips Medical Center, will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the First United Methodist Church.
Perkins, owner of the UPS Store in Bartlesville and Claremore, died at 11 p.m. Friday from an apparent blood clot in the lung, according to a source close to the family. Perkins had recently undergone a heart procedure.
"It was devastating," said Brad McCammon, manager of UPS store who worked with Perkins for 9 years. McCammon told the newspaper today that he had spoken with Perkins on Wednesday of last week and Perkins was preparing to come back to work.
Those who knew him say Perkins was active in bettering the community of Bartlesville. He served as a Bartlesville city councilman for five years in the 1990s, was chairman of the Bartlesville Area History Museum Trust Authority, and a member and past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. He was also a past president of the Bartlesville Jaycees and was the immediate past chairman of the Community Action Resource and Development board. He was a member of the Bartlesville area Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, and the Country Excise Board.
In addition, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and an alumnus of the Bartlesville Citizens' Police Academy.
Perkins was also a recognized authority on bats and gave presentations throughout the state.
"John was an advocate for community support," said McCammon. "I wasn't involved in the community before I started working for him."
Following college at Perdue University and at the University of Mississippi, Perkins served in the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years and continued his education at the University of Texas where he earned a Masters degree in Business Administration. He was married to wife Mary since 1968. The couple made their home in Borger, Texas for two years before moving to Bartlesville 34 years ago.
Perkins was formerly employed with Phillips Petroleum Co. from 1968 until his retirement in 1994.
At that time, Perkins opened three Mail Boxes Etc. stores in Oklahoma which later became UPS Stores.
McCammon said the stores will continue operations.
