RONALD DEAN PERKINS

DODGE CITY - Ronald Dean Perkins, 74, died unexpectedly on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born on June 18, 1935 in Spearville the son of Ross and Minnie (Randolph) Perkins.

He attended school in Kingsdown, graduating in 1954. Ron graduated from Dodge City Junior College and attended Northwestern University in Alva, Oklahoma. He married Jewell Annette Collins on August 24, 1958 in Dodge City at the First United Methodist Church. They were married for 51 years. Ron worked for Peoples Natural Gas for 20 years, 17 of them in Montezuma where the couple lived. They moved to Dodge City in 1980 where he worked for Beaver Express, Magouirk Chevrolet, NAPA and recently at OReilly's. Ron kept the scorebook at DCCC basketball games for many years and was on the chain gang for DCHS and DCCC football games for many years. He also volunteered at the Dodge City Raceway Park. Ron loved to bowl, farm, and tend to his cattle herd. He also loved his family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father,grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, DCCC Alumni Booster Association, DCCC Foundation Board, Roundup Security Team.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jewell Perkins of Dodge City; three sons, Roger Perkins and wife Jolana of Miltonvale, Robert Perkins and wife Nancy of Dodge City, and Rick Perkins and wife Mary of Ellsworth; sister, Lois Swonger of Bloom; brother in law, Jerry Lewallen of Wellington; father in law, Marvin Collins of Wichita; 9 grandchildren, Cara Webb and husband Shane, RaShae Jonas and husband Spencer, Robbie Perkins and wife Kaley, John Perkins and wife Heather, Roni Perkins, Randa Perkins, Crystal Silva and husband Aron, Janae Perkins, and Ryan Perkins; 12 great grandchildren, Jaylen and Kaden Webb; Rylan and Rossie Jonas; Ryley and Rozlyn Perkins; Alyse, Jordyn, Kaleb and Addyson Perkins; Christian and Akadence Silva. He was preceded in death by a son Randy Perkins in 1962; his parents, Ross and Minnie Perkins; and a sister, Betty Lewallen.

Funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Dodge City on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Adelia Hooley presiding. Burial will follow at Greencrest Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Sunday, December 6, 2009 from Noon to 6:00 PM and Monday December 7, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.