Donald E. Perkins, Sr.

Donald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Pennington E. Perkins and Ella Mae Perkins. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Betty Perkins Bellaci.

Donald graduated from Warren Easton High School in 1953 and attended LSU New Orleans for 2 years. He worked at Delta Automotive and as a clerk in the Port of New Orleans. He dedicated 27 years of his career as a firefighter with the New Orleans Fire Department. He was stationed in multiple locations in the New Orleans Central Business District and culminated his career as House Captain and Acting Chief in Algiers at District 8, Station 40.

After retiring, Donald and Carrie moved to Diamondhead, Mississippi where he enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, and playing golf with the Diamondhead Men’s Golf Association and Midsouth Seniors Golf Association. He organized golf for upwards of 40 men each weekday for many years.

A man of deep faith, Donald was a long-time member of Diamondhead Community Church where he was passionate about singing with the choir and in funerals for grieving families and friends.

Don reigned as king in separate years of the Krewes of Olympus, Kamehameha, and Diamondhead Mardi Gras organizations. He was a Mason for over 50 years and a member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge #191, Linn Wood-Ionic Masonic Lodge #167, Bay St. Louis Masonic Lodge #429, Farhad Grotto, Jerusalem Temple and Joppa Shrines. He rode his motorcycles in hundreds of Mardi Gras parades and is Past Master of Linn Wood-Ionic Lodge.

Donald is survived by his wife, Caroline Poulard Perkins, whom he married 63 years ago on April 29, 1961; his daughter, Lisa Perkins Mayer (Siegfried); his sons, Mitchell E. Perkins (Carol) and Donald E. Perkins, Jr. (Sheree); his grandchildren, Rachael Mayer Jackson (Brian), Caroline Mayer Coleman (Keith), Megan Mayer, Kristin Mayer Couch (Tyler), Simone Mayer, Jonathan Perkins (Whitney), Andrew Perkins (Tiffany), Evan Perkins, Elizabeth Perkins, Donald E. Perkins, III (Shannon), and Daniel Perkins; and his great grandchildren, Heidi, Renee, Kirby, Brody, Mackenzie, Camille, Ruthie, Campbell, Amelia, Barrett, Quinn, Pennington, and Roman.

Don had an inspirationally positive attitude and, when asked, every day was “terrific.” He was a friend to everyone he met and his legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have him in their lives.

A graveside burial service for the family of Donald E. Perkins, Sr., will be held at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery on Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, officiated by Deacon Drea Capaci. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Donald E. Perkins, Sr., will follow at 1:00 pm, August 10th, at Diamondhead Community Church in Diamondhead, Mississippi. Pastor Bob Bradley will officiate the memorial service. The family will receive friends following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Salvation Army.