Howard Neal Perkins

Howard Neal Perkins passed away on July 8, 2019 at the age of 64 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by family. Tears were shed yet his infectious laughter echoes from Fullerton to his second home in Tonga. Howard is now peacefully at rest in the company of his father, Gilbert Perkins and sister Cheryl Denise Perkins.

He was born on February 15, 1955 to Gilbert and Mary Perkins in Santa Monica, then moved to Fullerton in 1960. After graduating from Fullerton Union High School he attended Fullerton Junior College where he found his calling. He was elected President of the Associated Student body, became Editor of the campus newspaper and was an effective leader, with excellent organizational and management skills, leading to his being named Man of Distinction. After graduating from college with AA in Journalism he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from the University of Redlands.  Then he moved on to a career in public service, first as an intern for the City of Fullerton, then County of Orange as a Personnel Analyst and finally with the City of Costa Mesa where he retired as a Personnel Director.

As his many friends know, Howard loved beer, the blues, one Tongan woman, his family and liberal democracy. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather and was a loyal friend, loved by many.

Howard married Sulia Sime on October 21, 1995 with two sons, Nicholas and Michael Mataele, and fulfilled his lifelong goal of retiring at age 50 to a tropical island in 2005 in the Kingdom of Tonga. He enjoyed island life and the people of Tonga, he became a member of the Royal Nuku’alofa Club, Billfish Bar 100 Club, Tonga Darts Association and the Nuku’alofa Fishing Club. As Howard said, “I did not know that marrying a Tongan is marrying the whole island.”

He leaves behind Sulia, his loving wife of 23 years, sons Michael and Nicholas, granddaughter Avery Mataele, mother Mary Perkins, sister Annette Ford of Chicago, niece Donna Fuller, Delvin Fuller, Kyle Fuller, aunt Clara Rogers, cousins Norman Rogers, Noah, Joseph Rogers, Agnes, Jaya, cousin Donna Kay and Gary Butler of Santa Monica, Clarence Anderson of Shreveport Louisiana, his Tongan family, Longo and Mikaele Sime, Api Hauser, Leaifanga and Tautuaa, Moleni, Brian Sime, and a host of friends and relatives. Howard will be sorely missed.

The Perkins Family asks that any donations be made to the Fullerton First United Methodist Church (Pancake Breakfast) to feed the homeless, 114 N. Pomona Ave, Fullerton, CA 92632.