Don Perkins

Donny “Don” Gene Perkins passed away at the age of 85 on July 12th, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Don was born November 20, 1936, to Emma Bernadine Moore and Earl E. Perkins six miles west of Howard in the home. He attended Union Center School and graduated from Howard High School in 1954. He graduated from Kansas State College in 1958 studying Animal Husbandry. He was a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

After graduation he returned to the cow/calf ranch near Howard and helped create Earl Perkins & Sons with his father & brother Bill. This continued the ranching operation that has now existed for over a hundred years. In 1963, he married Shelby Wells of Independence. Three sons were born: Rick, Patrick, and Philip.

Don served on many committees and boards throughout his lifetime.    Those capacities were as president of Caney Valley Electric Co-op, president of Elk County Farm Bureau, Howard Fair Board President, and on the 4-H Sale Committee. He served on the Soil Conservation Board for many years. He was on the Extension Council and was a 4-H leader.

Through the years, many awards were given to the Ranch for Soil Conservation Practices and Range Management. The ranch, the pasture and the cattle were his real passions.

Don is preceded in death by sister Betty Jo, mother Bernadine, and father Earl. He is survived by wife Shelby Sue of Howard, brother Bill and wife Ramona Sue of Howard, son Rick and wife Susan of Wichita, son Patrick and wife Julie of Howard, son Philip of Shawnee, grandchildren Tegan and husband T. J. Ulmen of Goddard, Emily and fiancé Brody Nicholas of Osage City, Angela of Manhattan, Christina of Howard and great-grandson Quincy Ulmen of Goddard.

Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 10am at Howard United Methodist Church with Pastor Katy Jordan officiating. Services will be available for viewing under his obituary page at fordwulfbrunschapel.com.  The family has requested Memorial Contributions be made payable to the Howard United Methodist Church and may be left in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas 67337.  To leave an online message of condolence or to share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com