Ottis Perkins

Published 4:04 pm Thursday, March 17, 2016

Ottis Perkins, 91, formerly of Port Arthur, Texas, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016 in Tyler.

He was born February 26, 1925 in Pitkin, Louisiana to Lonnie and Maggie Johnson Perkins. Mr. Perkins grew up in Pitkin and was drafted into the United States Army when he was 18. He volunteered for paratrooper school, but was too tall to qualify. He then served as a private with the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Perkins was a World War II veteran surviving at the Battle of Tinian, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Battle of Okinawa where he was wounded by enemy fire and later awarded a Purple Heart. He continued to serve until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

After serving in the military, Mr. Perkins moved to Port Arthur, Texas in 1945. There he met the love of his life, Margie LeBlanc, while working at the Texaco packaging division. They married on October 1, 1947 and celebrated 68 years together as husband and wife.

Mr. Perkins retired from Texaco where he was employed for 37 years. He was a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW) during his years with Texaco.

Mr. Perkins was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Arthur, Texas. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus in Port Arthur and served the Order for 30 years. Every week during his years of service Mr. Perkins volunteered to help operate the organization’s local bingo games.

Mr. Perkins had passion for several outdoor activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of a local Port Arthur hunt club for more than 25 years. He loved his hunting dogs and enjoyed their companionship. He also enjoyed gardening and took great pride in his flower beds.

Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by parents, Lonnie and Maggie Johnson Perkins, brother, Odis Perkins, sister, Helen Vickers, and grandson, Charles Edwin Long.

Mr. Perkins is survived by his devoted wife, Margie Perkins, sister, Marie Buxton, uncle, Damon Johnson, daughter from his first marriage, Jeanette Long and husband Charles, granddaughter, Deidra Long Camp, granddaughter-in-law Darcie Long, and great grandsons,­­­­­ CJ Long, Joseph Long, Garret Long, and Cade Camp. He is also survived by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4602 Procter St., Port Arthur, TX 77642 or the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 423 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75702.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held at a later date