Obituary
The son of the late James Frank Perkins, Jr., and Ernestine Marie Howse Perkins was born on August 4, 1944, in Nashville, TN.
As a young child, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN.
He received his elementary and secondary education in the Nashville Metropolitan School System, graduating from Cameron High School in 1962.
He attended The Tennessee State University for a little over 2 years...where he met the love of his life, Shirley Marie Howard (Perkins). These two college sweethearts married on September 20, 1965. To this union, two daughters, Sharon M. Perkins, and Sheri M. Perkins were born. Those closest to him call him either “Jim” or “Perk”.
Shortly after, he answered the call to our United States Air Force where he served as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules Mechanic.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force, he began a most rewarding career in the Airline industry. The airline for which he worked for over 30 years ... and retired from...underwent a few transformations and name changes...eventually becoming Northwest Airlines.
He wore many hats there including NFL Equipment Coordinator/ Manager. He coordinated and supervised the NFL Teams that came in and out of Nashville, TN including our Tennessee Titans. He knew ALL of Titans and the other teams and they knew him...VERY WELL...to the point they would always just give him t-shirts and hats!!! He loved it!!!
He had an EXCEPTIONALLY HARD-CORE work ethic!!! He was ALWAYS active!!! During this career, he could not resist the call to our United States Military again. This time, he reenlisted to our United States Army. Yes. He served in two branches of service. In the Army, he served under the Det 1 Trp T, 4/278th Armored Cavalry Regiment supervising mechanic performance on attack helicopter aircraft such as the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra, and the Boeing AH-64 Apache...from which he was Honorably Discharged and PROUDLY retired!!! Daddy was DEEP!!! WE WERE SO PROUD!!!"
He and President Barack Obama share the same birthday? Yes. August 4th!!! He was quite proud of that!!! Not only did he share birthdays with the President of the United States...but the first BLACK President of the United States!!! Plus, President Obama was our 44th President and Daddy was born in 1944!!! You couldn't tell Daddy ANYTHING!!!
He had MANY hobbies and projects. Of course, he loved sports (especially football, then basketball, then baseball.)
His mind was always brilliant and inquisitive all at the same time. He wanted to know, “How does this work?” One of his favorite shows of all time is, “How It’s Made.” He had to find out. It was nothing for him to take an engine apart and then figure out how to put it back together.
When he was a teenager, he did just that to his parents’ car once. THEY WERE MAD…but he put it back together…correctly!!! They were speechless. He was ALWAYS active…always into something. Never a dull moment. That’s why I always wanted to go with him!!! “What are we doing today, Daddy?”
Most of all, he LOVED airplanes. That’s where mine and my sister’s airplane obsession from. Along with his love for aircraft mechanics and all things airplanes, he also loved auto mechanics. He loved cars. The faster and sportier, the better. That’s why I love sports cars!!! He was a member of NHRA (National Hot Rod Association). He has a Chevy S-10 that’s being transformed into a racing truck. This has been on stand-by for a while now.
To me, he was a GIANT!!! He was the STRONGEST man I have EVER known!!! "Country Strong...as they say!!!" That's why I called him Superman!!!
Oh my!!! "Did he ever know he was my HERO...!!!"
With pleasant memories to always cherish and treasure, he leaves behind a devoted family including: daughters, Sharon Marie and Sheri Melinda Perkins; sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Henry Irvin; brother and sister-in-law, George H. and Deborah Howard, Jr.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Perkins, III, please visit Tribute Store
Public Walk Through of Family and Friends
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors
2500 Clarksville Pike
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
6152552371
Masks must be worn at all times while inside the building.
Visitation
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors
2500 Clarksville Pike
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
6152552371
Masks must be worn at all times while inside the building.
Homegoing Celebration
12:00 pm
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Robert E. Lewis Memorial Chapel
2500 Clarksville Pike
Nashville , Tennessee, United States
Masks must be worn at all times while inside the building.
Interment with Military Honors
Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery
7931 McCrory Lane
Pegram, Tennessee, United States
James Frank Perkins III
August 4, 1944 - January 9, 2022
Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present