Samuel Coleman "Sam" Perkins

He went to grade school in Andrews, Texas until 1949. His family moved to Luling, Texas and he graduated from Luling High School in 1953. After high school he enrolled into college at Southwest Texas College in San Marcos, Texas until he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War in 1954 and served in Japan.

Sam worked shortly in the oilfield for Humble Oil and Refining Company before going to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1957 where he worked in Midland and Odessa, Texas. The last 17 years working at Southwestern Bell, Sam was the "Right- of-Way" man for all of west Texas and he was also very active in the Right-of-Way Association where he was honored as the "Man of the Year in 1979. He also served as President of the R.O.W. Association in 1983.

Sam retired from Southwestern Bell with 34 years of service in 1990. He worked many volunteer hours working on many projects with the Telephone Pioneers of America helping out the communities and the citizens of West Texas and giving his leadership by holding offices in the local club and council as well. In 1987-88 he served as the President of the Alamo Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers.

Sam loved to hunt, fish, playing golf, camping and travel. In his worldly travels he never met a stranger. He remained close to his school classmates by keeping track of them and helping organize their class reunions.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alice Bulecheck and Bettie Jane Rutledge of Center Point, Texas and his brother Oliver Ray Perkins of Odessa, Texas.

Sam is survived by his wife Shirley Perkins of Midland; son Cole and his wife Paulette of Odessa, Texas; daughter Patsy and her husband Mike Brenner of Canyon, Texas; and step daughter Kenda Furman-Belardo and her husband Steve Belardo of Alpine, Texas. He is also survived by seven Grand Children; Dayna Florance and her husband Eric of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Casey Perkins and his wife Sarah of Carlsbad, Texas; Neal Brenner and his wife Krissy of Midland, Texas; Tracy Hicks and her husband Josh of Dalhart, Texas; John Cody Brenner of Canyon, Texas; Lynzi Furman of San Marcos, Texas; Madison Furman of Alpine, Texas and six Great Grand Children as well as three nieces and two nephews.

The family request that instead of giving flowers that donations to the Midland Region of the Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.orglwesttexasl) be made in his honor.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at Ellis Funeral Home between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm. A funeral service has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Chapel at Ellis Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.

The family wishes to express gratitude for the unfailing attentive care of the entire staff of Younger Center.