Tommy "Tom" Glenn Perkins' Obituary
Tommy “Tom” Glenn Perkins was called home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday evening, February 4th, after a courageous years-long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tom was born on March 26, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he grew up, graduating from Hirschi High School in 1970, where he was active in the school marching and concert bands and Junior ROTC program, and was in the Texas Tech marching band in 1972. He graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1975.
In his 20’s, he worked in various fields and jobs, including radio DJ and assistant manager for Cinemark Theatres, both of which he absolutely loved, assistant manager for Eckerd Drugs (now CVS), and others. Later, he served as a case manager for the Texas Commission for the Blind, middle school teacher in the Garland ISD, and middle school teacher and staff member in the Dallas ISD.
Tom, along with his twin brother Johhny, was born significantly premature, with him weighing less than three pounds at birth. Johnny was fortunate in that he weighed nearly four pounds. Both were at extremely high risk of not surviving – in fact, their mother was told by the doctors not to look at them as their likelihood of survival was extremely low, which she replied in her typically bombastic way “to get the “H” out of her way”. Due to his severely low birth weight, the doctors gave Tommy pure oxygen, which at the level it was applied, resulted in him being blinded in his right eye. Despite the challenges this presented him all his life, he never complained and moved on. He and his brother were inseparable during their school years, with Tom reminiscing later how much he enjoyed playing on the Boys’ Club youth baseball teams with Johnny.
In 1992, he married the love of his life, Vernell. Together they shared a happy home with their son, Philip, and their beloved golden retriever. Although Vernell was totally blind, she was amazing in her memory and organizational skills. Tom was not so much into organization. Funny, Tom often would ask Vernell where his briefcase was, and she would tell him exactly where it was, for example. Tom did have an amazing memory for music titles and singers, honed by his work as a DJ in his earlier years. Tom and Philip’s favorite thing to do was play catch in the front yard just like many dads and sons. Tom, Vernell and Philip enjoyed many concerts together including Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, and Clint Black.
After living in assisted living in Texas near his brother, he relocated to live close to Philip in Colorado almost two years ago. Tom was a faithful Christian who was a member of Springcreek Community Church for many years.
He was preceeded in death by his wife, Vernell Perkins, and his parents, Charles and Ila Mae Swinney.
He is survived by his son, Philip Perkins (fiancee’ Shaida Arbabha and her daughter Harper Hammond) of Lone Tree, Colorado; his twin brother, Johnny “John” Perkins (Cindy) of Flower Mound, Texas; his sister, Julia Griffith (Edward) of Crowley, Texas; stepdaughter, Roxie Brown (Mike) of Huffman, Texas; step granddaughter Megan Brown and step grandson, Brett Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 15th, 2:00 pm, at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery's Wildwood Chapel, in Dallas, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the SPCA due to Tom’s love of animals.
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