Paul Draper Perkovich

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Paul Draper Perkovich. Born on December 27, 1948, Paul passed away on November 16, 2025, at the age of 76, at his home in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Paul grew up in Fullerton, California, but his life took him across the world. He often reminisced about his two-month trip through Europe, where he stayed in hostels and met people from many cultures while visiting the countries he had studied in college.

Driven and dedicated in his career, Paul held positions in Salt Lake City and Chicago before returning to California, where he met the love of his life, Carol Perkovich, and raised his family. He was a devoted husband and a caring father who loved sharing his knowledge of history and religion, along with his strong work ethic and woodworking talents.

Paul had a deep love for the outdoors—especially hiking. Over the years, he completed some of the most iconic hikes in the United States, reaching the summits of Mt. Whitney and Yosemite’s Half Dome, as well as trekking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

He is preceded in death by his father, Victor Perkovich, and his mother, Sylvia Perkovich.

A celebration of life service will be held on December 7, 2025. Arrival time is 10:30 am Sunday morning, and the service will begin at 11:00 am. The service will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Services, 27856 Center Dr, Mission Viejo, California 92692. Their phone number is (949) 380-8911.