Charles Perkins Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sylvia Strange Perkins, his daughter, Karen Perkins Burnett and her husband, Chris, grandson Christopher Burnett and granddaughter, Greyson Burnett. He was preceded in death by his son, Alan Lawson Perkins and by his parents, Charles Perkins, Sr. and Lina Talbert Perkins.

Born in Baton Rouge, LA on September 6, 1929, Charlie touched so many people in an amazing life that spanned 91 years. He spent his youth in Baton Rouge and in Cuba, where his father worked in the sugarcane industry. In his teens, Charlie came to Georgia to attend the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville and moved to Atlanta in 1948 to attend Georgia Tech, earning a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1952. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren who both followed in his footsteps, receiving their Engineering Degrees from his beloved alma mater.

Following college, Charlie joined the U.S. Army and served in post-war Germany as that nation rebuilt itself after WWII. Following active duty, Charlie remained in the U.S. Army Reserves for 26 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. He also enjoyed a 35-year career with the Bell South Corporation, working in Jacksonville and Atlanta as a senior engineer on many of the company’s major projects, including its evolution to fiber optics technology.

Charlie relished every day of his retirement and had a passion for anything mechanical, especially working on cars and learning new computer skills. He could literally fix anything and was frequently called upon by friends and neighbors to help with projects. He and Sylvia enjoyed traveling, playing tennis, bridge and entertaining their friends and family and were active members of the St. John United Methodist church for 55 years.

Charlie was a man of tremendous character and compassion and he made this world a better place through his love, intellect and wit. The family invites friends to celebrate Charlie’s life at a graveside service at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Ga. at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 7th, 2021. For those wishing to view the service online, a link will be shared on this webpage on the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations in Charlie’s memory be made to the following charities:

St. John UMC Children’s Center Community Assistance Center

550 Mt. Paran Road NW 1130 Hightower Trail

Atlanta, Ga. 30327 Sandy Springs, Ga. 30350

www.stjohnatlanta.org/give www.ourcac.org/donate-online/