Robert Marvin Perkins

Robert Marvin Perkins, 92, went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2025. He was born on January 2, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Lehman E. Walker and Irene E. Taylor Moreland. He was adopted by his paternal grandparents, Cornelius W. and Rosetta Walker Perkins, in Kansas City, Kansas, who all preceded him in death. As a child, Robert was baptized and was a member of Eighth Street Baptist Church. Later in life, he became affiliated with Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic Church until his passing.

Robert attended Douglass Elementary School, where he met his future wife, Sercielee Byers, in the 5th Grade. He attended Northeast Junior High and graduated from Sumner High School, Class of 1951.

In 1956, Robert ran into his former classmate Sercielee, and they shared 59 beloved years of marriage. They became a blended family with sons James Swift Jr. and Richard Allan Swift. To this union, one daughter was born, Tanya Denine Perkins.

Robert was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. After the military, he worked briefly at the Concrete Building Unit. He worked 22 years for Wilson’s Packing House while working 13 years part-time at the Kansas City Star. He served as the Superintendent of the Traffic Regulations department for the Unified Government (UG) of Kansas City, Kansas, for 17 years before retiring. After retirement, he returned to the UG as a part-time dispatcher for 13 years. He and his wife, Sercielee, owned Perkins Catering Service for 11 years.

Robert was a true Shepherd of his family. He was a devoted husband and father. He was known for his love of the Lord. He was a scholar of the word. He followed many “Heavy Hitters.” He would share his knowledge of the word along with his many Christian books from his library with all he encountered. He was a very kind and giving person. He was also the Sage of the family and was often sought out for his compassion and wisdom. He gave just about everyone in his life a nickname. He was affectionately known as “Pops, Daddy, Poppi, PaPa, and Grandpa.” He loved the Kansas City Chiefs, KU football, and KU basketball. He also loved reading, music, travelling, good food, and spending time with his “gang.”

Preceding him in death were his devoted wife Sercielee Byers Perkins; parents Lehman E. Walker (Myrtle) and Irene E. Moreland (Eddie); grandparents Cornelius and Rosetta Perkins and James and Nora Taylor; grandsons Eric Henry, William Henderson Sr., and James Henderson; great-granddaughters Shea Henry and Laniyah Davis; brother Mitchell Perkins Moorehead; and special cousins Bobby Johnson, Delores Johnson, and Billy Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memories his sons, James Swift Jr. (Debra) of Kansas City, MO, and Richard Swift Sr. (Cassie) of Shawnee Mission, KS, and his daughter, Tanya Selectman (Reginald) of Kansas City, KS. His grandchildren include Richard Swift Jr. (Sheila) of Kansas City, KS; Robert Swift of Kansas City, MO; Micah Swift of Shawnee Mission, KS; Whitney Selectman of Houston, TX; Kristen Mansaw of Kansas City, MO; Christia Hill (Anthony) of Humboldt, KS; Corrine Canagan of Kansas City, MO; and Carmen Canagan of Kansas City, MO. He also leaves 17 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, a special cousin, Harlene Doyle of Atlanta, GA, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who loved him and will truly miss him.

A visitation will be held on January 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, located at 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66112. The funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 11:00 am.

Burial will take place on January 12, 2026, at 11:00 am at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas, 66048.