Homer Perkins

Homer Ray Perkins, of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, passed peacefully in his sleep on the evening of May 16, 2012. He was born in Marlin, Texas on June 2, 1925. He is survived by his wife Jean, his sister Peg, his four children Alan, Rick and his wife Nancy, BJ, and Randy and his wife Holly, his five grandchildren Ben, Christa, Ross, Taylor and Travis, and his four great grandchildren Aidan, Cash, Christian and Haley.

He is preceded in death by his parents Homer Marvin Perkins and Mamie Ray Perkins, his brother Melvin Perkins and his sister Pat Anderson.

Homer graduated from Austin High School where he was on the basketball team. His love of all sports continued for the rest of his life and he particularly loved to play golf and fish. He could often be found fishing for crappie at the Horseshoe Bay Marina.

Homer spent three years serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II and the Korean War. He joined the Merchant Marines for World War II on September 22, 1943 and was honorably discharged on August 15, 1945. Homer traveled the world sailing in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean war zones.

Homer married Jean Burch on January 25, 1948, but he did not actually say the words “will you marry me” until after fifty years of marriage had passed and then proposed to Jean in the middle of a restaurant down on one knee. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Jean was undoubtedly the love of his life. Homer was proud of his children, took great joy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren, but he loved his wife above everything else. Anyone that ever saw them together knew immediately the love and friendship Homer and Jean had for each other.

Homer briefly worked for the State Board of Insurance before following in his Uncle Dan’s footsteps by becoming an insurance field man for Floyd West & Company. He later left Floyd West and created an insurance partnership in Seakatz and Perkins. He left the partnership to create Austin Surplus Lines Agency, Inc. with his wife. After some successful years they further formed the Texas Insurance Company, Inc., Tejas Insurance Managers, Inc. and the Austin Premium Finance, Inc. From 1978 to 1979 Homer was the President of the Texas Surplus Lines Association, Inc.

Retirement was too enticing so Homer retired in 1985 and moved to Horseshoe Bay where he and Jean still own the house on the Slick Rock Golf Course.

Homer loved to travel and in retirement he and Jean traveled extensively visiting 48 of 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, mostly by means of their motorhome.

The memorial services will be held Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. A reception will be held immediately afterwards at their home in Horseshoe Bay.

Donations may be made in Homer’s name to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd. Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home of Marble Falls, TX.