Morris Richard Sr. Perkins
September 2, 1925 ~ March 18, 2011
Perkins, Morris R. Sr., Architect and Major USAF retired, died Friday March 18, 2011. Born on September 2, 1925, in Sycamore, Ks. He married Rita Schuckman in Lincoln, NE September 2, 1946. He attended grade school in Sycamore, Ks, High School and Community College in Independence, Ks. He graduated from KSU with a BS in Architecture in 1949. He was employed by other architects for 12 years. He was in private practice from 1961 to 1996. He was a member of NCARB, AIA, KSA and past president of Wichita Society of Architects. He was a member of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and Cystic Fibrosis Chapter for many years. He was a member of MOAA, associate member of Submarine Veterans of WWII. He was a member of the Serra Club of Wichita and an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church. He was an avid golfer and postage stamp collector. He cherished his Catholic faith, loved his family and was proud of his military service. He joined the Army in June 1943 and retired from the USAF in 1985. His service included a tour of combat duty in the Pacific Theater as a navigator on a B-25. He served his country actively from April 1945 through September 1968. He served as a civil engineer in the USAF reserve for many years. He is preceded in death by his wife Rita, of 63 years, his parents Daniel and Mamie Perkins, sister Josephine, and brothers Wayne and Dale Perkins. Survivors, daughters Andrea (Roger) McCoy of Oklahoma City, OK and Michele (Ron) Graham of Derby, Ks. Sons, Morris Jr., (Valerie) of Wichita, Ks, Greg (Pat) of Augusta, Ks, Hilary (Nan) of Wichita, Ks, Christopher (Joanna) of Arvada, CO, Geoffrey (Trudie) of Olathe, Ks, and Jonathan (Mary) of Peoria, AZ, and 20 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Rosary and mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, Wichita, Ks. Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 24 and Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 25. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament School Endowment Fund, 124 North Roosevelt, Wichita, KS 67208. Internment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita, Ks. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
Rosary service 7:00 P.M. Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
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I was able to meet all of the sons this evening at church, but will not be able to attend the funeral tomorrow because of another committment. I would love to have met the whole family and have seen him to his final resting place. I know that you were expecting it, but loosing both of them, in such a short time, has to be very difficult . I only ate 3 meals a day with him for two weeks while we were both patients at Catholic Care and ended up sitting at the same table for our meals. Very quickly I saw what deepth of character and strength of spirit he had, and he gave new meaning to the word Gentleman, of which he was one . I learned from him and a little part of me is a better person because of that brief time we shared . In spite of his own personal daily struggles with his neck . he was always concerned about how others were doing. May you especially feel Gods presence with you, as you say your final goodbyes. Withyou in prayer….. Patty Thomas
Morris & Rita were the first to welcome Joni & I to the parish in 1967. Joni passed in Dec. 2009, just a short time before Rita\’s passing. Love & prayers to all their dear family.
Our thoughts & prayers are with your beautiful family. We enjoyed being with Perk & Rita in AZ as well as Wichita. We visited with them in Az 5 or 6 years. We enjoyed playing golf & bridge with them. They were great people & great friends. We will miss them.
I can remember a lot of special times spent with my uncle. Spending time with him and Rita in the summers while visiting my grandparents. I have not seen him for quite a while, although I always got a letter from him at Christmas and I always tried to call and talk to him to see how you was doing. I saw the boys at Wayne’s funeral. That is the last time I think I saw any of them. My heart and prayers go out to all the cousins. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. I will not be able to attend the mass but remember my thoughts will be there with all of you. Thinking of you.
Mr. Morris R. Perkins was a great man. My family and I have known him for over 50 years. A WW2 veteran and famous architect in the Wichita, KS area. He helped design the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. An outstanding father and devoted to his church. I was proud to know him. Kenneth D. Marshall