John Robert Perkins

10-23-33 – 11-25-16

John Robert Perkins, 83, a life-long resident of Grandview, MO died November 25, 2016, at St. Joseph hospital with family at his side.

John was Grandview’s oldest living life-long male resident, born October 23, 1933, and was a member of the VFW Post 8100, and the Grandview Historical Society.

John graduated in 1951, and was the first football quarterback for Grandview high school, a star baseball player, and participated in the Glee club.

He served in the US Army 1956-1962, and was a Teamster for many years until his retirement in 1995, winning numerous "Top Gun" awards for safety.

John was an active member of the community, an avid fisherman and golfer, he frequented local dining establishments to drink coffee, and share stories with friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel Perkins, his three sisters Mary Lou, Martha, and Billie Jean, and his son John, Jr. He leaves his stepson Dan Reedy of Lee's Summit, and a Grandview business owner, his daughter Robin Orrick, Phoenix, AZ, two grandchildren Daniel and Sara Reedy, and multiple nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews. His many friends, neighbors, and his cats, Junior and Kramer will miss him greatly.

He married his high school sweetheart Lucille Peyton who was Homecoming Queen for Grandview the year John graduated. John’s father was Mayor of Grandview in the 1930’s, and was also on the City Council for 14 years, the family also owned local businesses.

John Perkins’ family was a big part of the early history of Grandview including Uncle Dave Clements owner of the hardware store. His parents, and other family members were long-time Grandview residents, some of them moving here in 1916.

His grandmother Lacey was famous in the area for her chicken dinners. John's Aunt Pansy was the first female bank vice president in the state of Missouri at the Grandview Bank. She started out as a clerk, worked there 50 years and ended up as Vice President. Her family moved here from Belton in 1916.

John met and married Sharon Reedy in 1968 where he took over fatherly duties of Sharon's young son Danny Reedy, and they had a daughter Robin Lynn in 1969, both Grandview high school graduates.

Memorial and Visitation 4 - 7 pm Wednesday, November 30 at McGilley & George Funeral Home 12913 Grandview Rd., Grandview. "Storytelling" and the sharing of memories and stories began at 5:00 pm with lots of great memories shared. Inurnment will be in Belton Cemetery at a future date where his ashes will be place between his mother and father. Contributions to Wayside Waifs in his name will be appreciated. Condolences may be left at www.dignitymemorialgrandview.com Arr: McGilley & George Funeral Home, Grandview, MO 816-966-0250