Carl Perkins, Jr.

Carl Clifford Perkins, Jr., 89, of Prairie Village, Kansas, died at home on September 28, 2010. Funeral services will be 2:00p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2010 at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS with a visitation preceding the service from 1:00-2:00p.m. Burial will follow at 3:30p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Village Presbyterian Church or Ozanam Foundation. Carl was born on November 20, 1921 to Carl C. Perkins, Sr. and Lillian Wilson Perkins in Lawrence, Kansas. Following graduation from Liberty High School in Lawrence, Carl attended the University of Kansas, where he studied mechanical engineering and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Engineering in 1943. Upon graduation, Carl volunteered to join the Army Air Corps, where he trained as a pilot and served until he was honorably discharged in 1946. Following military service, Carl worked as a research mechanical engineer in the Kansas City area, including time spent at TWA, Midwest Research Institute, Butler Manufacturing, and at AT&T, from which he retired in 1987. Carl was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois, sister Laura Aleta, and son Carl, III. Survivors include his loving wife of 26 years, Bobbie; his children Brian, Janet, and Bruce Perkins, all of Lawrence, KS; stepdaughter Lisa Nason and her husband Todd of Prairie Village, KS; stepdaughter Janell Jones of Prairie Village, KS; grandchildren Nicole Jacobsen of Wichita, KS; Casey Perkins of Choteau, Montana, Amanda Perkins of Kansas City, MO, Carl Perkins IV of Parkville, MO, Sylvy Kehrlis of Rogers, Arkansas, Abbey Perkins of Overland Park, KS, Natalie Perkins of Lawrence, KS, and Whitney Perkins of Quantico Marine Corps base, VA; stepgrandchildren Anna Jones, and Zach and Zoe Nason, all of Prairie Village, KS; and five great-grandchildren. While in the service, Carl developed a lifelong enthusiasm for aviation, and following his discharge he became a master builder and flyer of model airplanes. He won a number of awards in national and international competition and also enjoyed inventing new parts for his airplanes. Carl was a member of the Heart of America Free Flight Association, through which he volunteered at the Ozanam Foundation. Carl’s other hobbies included raising German shepherds and solving all manner of puzzles. Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com

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