James K. “Jim” Perkins, Sr., age 76, of Chesterton, passed away Friday,
January 27, 2012 at Porter Hospital in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Jim was born November 11, 1935 in Redford, Michigan to Ralph T. Sr. and
Margaret (Sterling) Perkins, both of whom preceded him in death.
His wife Suzanne Perkins (nee Menold) survives in Chesterton.
Also surviving are sons, Michael D. (Jackie Ruge) Perkins of Porter, Ind.,
Patrick W. Perkins of West Wilton, New Hampshire, and James K. Jr. (Teri)
Perkins of Liberty Township, Ind.; daughter, Kara J. (Steven Yu) Perkins of
Portola Valley, Calif.; brothers, Ralph T. (Ann) Perkins of Troy, Mich. and
William S. (Kathy) Perkins of Mendota, Minn.; as well as five grandchildren,
Nathan and Carley Perkins, Jacob Perkins and Haley and Ella Rose Yu.
He graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 and was an accomplished
Landscape Architect and Site Planner and retired from Fanning & Howey
Associates in Michigan City, Ind.
He was a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and among
other awards he also received the Governor’s Award for a Chicago Park
District Project he designed. He had a passion for his work and continued to
design in his retirement.
Jim was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Chesterton, where he was
past president of the vestry. He was also a member of the Rebuilding
Together Committee, The CHIP program, Porter County Park Board and one of
the founding members of the Indian Boundary Conservancy District as well as
a member and past president of the Chesterton Lions Club.
Memorials in Jim’s memory may be made to the Porter County Park Board for
the Michaels Property.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517
Broadway, Chesterton, Ind.
Online condolences may be left for the family at
www.EE-FH.com
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