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In Memory

Johnie Jerome Perkins - Class Of 1947 VIEW PROFILE

Johnie Jerome Perkins

JOHNIE J. "JERRY" PERKINS

May 30, 1929 - May 30, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Mr. Johnie Jerome Perkins, affectionately called "Jerry," passed away at 5:10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009, in the Cardinal Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, Indiana. Jerome was born to the union of Nezron Eckron Perkins, who preceded him in death, and Mary F. (Jones) Perkins on May 30, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri.

He graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1947 where he played basketball in the state semi-finals. Team-coached by the legendary John Wooden, he also was an outstanding football player for Central High School too.

He was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy "Peachie" Blanton on June 22, 1949, in South Bend, Indiana, who preceded him in death in August 2001.

He worked for Studebaker from 1949 to 1951 and from there he was hired to the South Bend Police Department, retiring in 1972 after 21 years of service to the department. In 1968 he became the first African-American division chief. In 1972 he was hired to the South Bend Community School Corporation as director of security for all schools. He worked as director of security from 1972 to 1981. In 1978 he was the Republican nominee for the St. Joseph County Sheriff and served as U.S. Marshal for Northern Indiana from 1981 to 1994. In 1996 he worked as a St. Joseph County Bailiff at JJC, retiring in 2001. He was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where he served as a trustee. He also belonged to the Par Putters Club. His hobbies included golfing and Notre Dame football.

He was preceded in death by his father, Nezron Eckron Perkins, his wife, Dorothy "Peachie" Blanton Perkins, and a daughter, Jennifer Shorter,

Survivors left to cherish his memory include one daughter, Patricia Adams, his mother, Mary F. Perkins, five grandchildren, Reverend Matthew (Chiquita) Adams, Jennifer Adams, Jessica (Kenneth) Hoskins, Lashaunte' Todd and Matthew Shrock; along with a host of great-grandchildren and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Johnie Jerome Perkins will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, in New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Viewing will take place one hour prior to services in the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where bereavement messages may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Perkins family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jun. 4, 2009.

02/19/2023 EJS



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