The Edmond Sun
EDMOND —
Audie Randall Perkins left us September 3, 2012 to join his bride of 54 years and his first-born infant son. Audie was born November 21, 1926 in Trousdale, Okla., the third of five sons, and three daughters/stepdaughters, to Audie Wade Perkins and Nettie Lee Suggs.
Audie, or “Randall” as he was known to his family, graduated eighth grade from the Trousdale School in 1941. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, and began a long and honorable career in service to his country. Audie trained as a Navy sonar man. He was on the west coast during WWII, including a short billet aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. After re-enlistment in 1946, he attended a series of Navy schools and became an Aviation Electronics Specialist. Audie specialized in anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and most of his duty stations were with ASW squadrons. San Diego, Corpus Christi, and the Philippine Islands were frequent duty stations.
Audie married the love of his life, Claire Kenney of Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 18, 1956. He was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, to which he was fervently devoted.
After his retirement as a Master Chief Petty Officer, the Perkins family settled in Oklahoma City, where Audie earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering from OSU-OKC. He then began a second career at Mercy Hospital, where he assisted with the opening of the new building on Memorial Road in 1974. After retiring again, he pioneered the stay-at-home dad role, where he ran the household, served as homeroom parent, and created an extensive backyard garden.
Audie became a “rock hound”, cutting stones and polishing gemstones, making jewelry for family and friends. He and Claire continued to travel until her illness required them to remain home, and he was also a passionate genealogist. He became a grandfather at age 70, and his seven grandchildren were his greatest delight.
Audie is survived by his son Philip and his wife Lyles of Los Angeles, Calif. and their children Alan, Brian, Eddie and Neal; his daughter Patricia Perkins Kuper and her husband Stephen of Edmond, Okla. and their children Claire, Cecelia and John. He is also survived by his siblings Melba, Richard (Lillie Mae), Murry (Elaine), Inez (Lloyd), and Urschel (Iva); and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Claire, in May of 2011. He will join his parents, his son Brian, siblings Mildred, Bill and Cassey, and Claire’s sisters Genevieve and Eileen, whom he loved as his own.
The wake will be 7 p.m. Thursday September 6, 2012, at St. Ann’s, 7501 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City.
A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, September 7, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 2001 N. Western Avenue, Edmond. A graveside service with full military honors will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Wanette Cemetery in Southern Pottawatomie County. Services are under the direction of Mathews Funeral Home.
