ALFRED PERKINS

May 19, 1946 - April 17, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Alfred Perkins Jr., 65, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County. Alfred was born on May 19, 1946, in Marianna, Arkansas, to Alfred Perkins Sr. and Dessie Mae Perkins.

Alfred graduated from Central High School in 1966.

After high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Dianne Johnson, on August 13, 1966.

His music interest started at a very early age and continued throughout his life. One of the first songs he learned to play was "Stagger Lee." He attended Indiana University where he studied music. He went on to continue his studies in music at Boyd Hunt Music Enterprise in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After college he traveled with the group "The Soul Sounds" where he completed three USO tours from 1969 to 1973. He performed in Spain, Madrid, Japan, Korea, Turkey and the Philippines.

He received several special service awards during his tour from the Army's Entertainment Program, also receiving the Key to The City of South Bend. He toured with the group "Natchez Trace" and he signed with the label Don Q. Davidson Agency. He performed as opening act for Stevie Wonder and worked with Jr. Walker and the All Stars. He traveled the United States as well as performed on many occasions with his hometown friends like Bill Nicks, Jonnie Davis, his friend, Everett "Pig" William, O.J., the late Ed Wright, and many other musicians. Alfred wrote and produced music.

He started his own production company Alppi & Peca Publishing in 1982 where he produced four CDs: "I Need Love," "Love Man," "Who's Sharin' Her Love," and "Feeling the Feeling." Music was his life and passion. He also worked in production at Allied Products and was a driver for Strauss Bakery. He was an insurance sales agent and manager for Chicago Metropolitan Insurance for many years. He started his own vending machine company, American Commercial Equipment in 1985. He also worked security at Aqua Pack in Elkhart, Indiana.

After retirement, he worked security at WSBT.

Alfred is survived by his wife, Dianne Perkins; his two sons, Alfred Perkins III and Terrance Lamont Perkins, all of South Bend, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Angela Perkins, Riviera Perkins, Lashayla Jones, Yahkeem Perkins, Zaday Perkins, Keandre Perkins and Kedrena Perkins, all of South Bend, Indiana; one godson, Glenn Houghton in Afghanistan; six brothers, Sponge Lee (Deborah) Perkins, Larry Darnell (Carolyn) Perkins, all of St. Louis, Missouri, Ray Otha Perkins of Blytheville, Arkansas, Jerry Glenn Perkins of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Joe Edward (Angelia) Perkins, Michael Jerome Perkins, both of Blytheville, Arkansas; 12 sisters, Lois (Mussa) Muhammad, Velma Jean Anderson, both of South Bend, Indiana, Naomi (Allan) Ealy, Zellina Anderson, Shirley Mae Bishop, Sirvonue (Sam) Neal, Alfreda (Ernest) Williams, Julia Ann (Broderick) Taylor, Juanita (Roscoe) Lowe, all of St. Louis, Missouri, Ora Lee (Kenneth) Snell of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Alice (Delney) Persaud and Legusta Rene Love, both of St. Louis, Missouri; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends; and his beloved dog, "Zooco."

Alfred will be remembered for his strong wit, odd sense of style, humorous hair styles, him saying: "You so ugly!" -and for his unwavering love for his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Perkins Sr.; his beloved mother, Ora Lee Perkins; his brother, Willie C. Perkins; his sisters, Carolyn Perkins and Sylvia Perkins.

Services for Alfred Perkins Jr. will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home Inc., 2702 Lincoln Way West, South Bend, Indiana. Visitation will begin at 11 and services at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visit www.clarkoneal.com to sign his guestbook. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 24, 2012.

02/03/2023 EJS