John Bernard Perkins

John was born in a log house in Cowdrey, Colorado on September 4, 1930, to Roy and Nora Perkins. He was the second of 5 children.

He spent his first 9 years on a remote ranch outside of Cowdrey, about 15 miles from the Wyoming border. In 1940 the Perkins family moved to California, settling in Placerville, where his parents owned and operated a gas station and garage. In later years the station was demolished, but the street it had been on is now Perk's Court.

John attended the local Placerville schools, playing football, basketball and baseball -- lots of baseball. After graduating from El Dorado High in 1948, he studied engineering and played baseball at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for 2 years, until Uncle Sam called. John enlisted in the Air Force and would spend the next 3 years traveling to many places, including Georgia, Montana, Tokyo and Korea.

While he was away serving the country, John's parents sold the station and the family moved to Kansas, where his younger sister Kathy befriended a pretty little brunette named Virginia. When John went home on leave Kathy was kind enough to introduce them. John and Virginia were married in Parsons, Kansas in 1954 and spent the next 62.5 years together until Virginia passed in 2016. Throughout his life, John would say that marrying Virginia was, by far, the smartest decision he ever made.

With the help of the GI Bill, John continued his education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emporia State University, KS, in 1957 and a Master's degree from Toledo University in 1961.

In 1962, John and Virginia and their 5 kids moved to a small ranch outside Lincoln. There they planted deep roots, growing kids and cows. John soon became involved in local baseball and softball, and umpired Lincoln Little League games as often as he could.

Also in 1962, John started a job at Marysville High School. It soon became clear that the job of being a guidance counselor was his calling.

In 1972, Mr. Perkins transferred to Lincoln High School, which marked the beginning of over 2 decades of service to our town, guiding and helping to shape the lives and futures of countless students.

He was also the voice of Lincoln Zebra Football for almost 40 years. He truly cared about these kids and this town.

John Perkins leaves behind his sons Dean (Kathy) and Mark (Nancy), his daughter Rhonda (David), his daughter-in-law Lorri (Kevin), 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. We all miss him very much.

He was preceded in death by Virginia, his wife of almost 63 years; his sons Duane and Russell; his brothers Neil and Fred, and his sisters Sheila and Kathy.

Services for John will be Friday November 14th, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 1:30, Mass at 2:00.

A reception to follow at McBean Pavillion.

Flower arrangements will be by Wheatland Florist.

If you wish to make a donation in John's name, please consider St. Joseph's Building Fund, Lincoln, CA; St. Vincent de Paul of Roseville; or the Lincoln High School Athletics Fund.