Ernest Eugene “Gene” Perkins

Our beloved father, grand-father, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor, Ernest Eugene “Gene” Perkins age 52 of Elgin went home to be with Jesus, his Lord and King, on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Gene’s sudden and unexpected passing has caused a profound sadness and a tremendous loss to his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Floy Perkins and his beautiful wife, Dianna Perkins. Gene is survived by his two children, Jesse Perkins and his wife Ashley; Chelsea and Jason Ellis; and by his four grandchildren; Katelynn, Kandyce, Jessica, and Bentley, and by his sister, Deborah Perkins Lane, and by his brother, Ardley Perkins and his brother-in-law, Bruce Lane, and by several nieces, a nephew, and many family members.

Gene was a native Texan and proud of it. He was always smart, curious, and hardworking. Gene and his brother, Ardley operated an auto repair business together in downtown Elgin for several years and then Gene began to branch out and started a wrecker service and owned several rental properties in the area. Gene was a good businessman and was very well liked and respected in his community.

Gene did not really have any hobbies, but there were a few activities he did enjoy. He loved to have family and friends over to his house. He would fire up the grill and put on some music. He loved activities on the water. He would take his family out on the lake in his boat, he had a pool in his backyard, and enjoyed walking on the beach. Gene enjoyed hunting in West Texas and deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. He also owned several horses. When Gene was young he owned Shetland ponies and when he got older he had a big black horse he named Magic and a beloved horse named Luke. He rode a Harley and as a boy he had a mini-bike. We had some washed out gullies on our property and Gene would try to jump them like he was Evil Kinevel. Gene loved to listen to country music, but he also loved B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Elvis Presley. One of Gene’s favorite things he liked to do was dance. Gene lived his life with the philosophy, “If you have the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you DANCE!!!

Gene got married very young to his first wife and they had a son, but later he married his second wife of over 27 years and they had a daughter.

Gene was a very kind, compassionate, and loving person. His name “Gene” means courteous spirit and his Bible scripture was Ephesians 4:32--“And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another.”

Gene definitely lived up to the meaning of his name and his Bible scripture.

When Gene entered a room it was like a ray of sunshine. He had the biggest smile. It was like his whole face lit up. Gene was very, very funny and could tell a great story. He had the greatest laugh ever. You just could not be unhappy around Gene. He was the life of the party and would laugh and joke all night long.

Gene was the baby of his family, but he was wise beyond his years. Gene was like an anchor for the whole family. Gene always stepped up and showed up if you needed him in a crisis. He was there for his sister when her first husband passed very young and when his nephew almost died and needed open heart surgery. He has assisted many family members that got stranded on the roadside or needed a place to live.

Gene was generous with his time, love, and prayers. He would just seem to know and care enough to stop in the middle of his busy day and just ask, “Do you need help”? Gene was just that way. I don’t think there was a person in our family or in the community that Gene, at some time, he has not helped. He may of had a short life but it touched and made a difference to so many people. Gene had a huge heart and the biggest and longest and best bear hugs in the world. We are going to miss those hugs!!

Gene’s big heart extended to the community. Gene was a first responder and the family has never been more proud of Gene as when we saw his fellow first responders pay their respect to Gene on the day of his funeral. They stepped up and showed up for their fallen brother in an impressive display of local fire trucks, EMS ambulance, other wrecker services, local and county police all led the procession to the cemetery with lights flashing. When we passed firehouses they had their fire trucks out with lights flashing and the firefighters standing paying respect and then waving as Gene passed by. Our family was so touched by the outpouring of love and respect from the first responders and want to say a special note of thanks to ALL of them for the way they honored Gene’s memory. He was truly loved by so many people. The family was deeply moved and will never forget your kindness. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Gene’s birth was not planned by his parents and we certainly did not expect him to leave us so soon. Gene was a very special and precious gift to our family. It was like he was a visiting angel and got called back to heaven.

We are most glad that we really never had harsh words between each other. Sure all families have disagreements but we were always willing to give in when we saw that an issue mattered to one of us more than the other. We always protected each other’s backs. We prayed and ate and visited and danced and laughed together. We really enjoyed each other’s company. We could talk all night. We were just happy being together. Those times are priceless now. God and family first was our motto. We did not have much growing up but we had each other and our love for each other and we were each other’s best friends right up to the end.

After a tragedy like the loss of Gene those are the things that really matter most. It is knowing that you have “No Regrets” that gives you true peace and it is that peace that helps you emotionally survive a tragedy like this one. It’s how we sleep at night.

Thank God for our beautiful Gene. We are so glad we got to stand in the light of your smile, feel the warmth of your hugs, and experience your generous spirit while you were here on earth.

This tragedy just emphasizes that we must be more gentle with each other because we don’t know what burden someone else is carrying and we should look for ways to carry each other’s burdens more. There are enough people trying to tear us apart and rip our souls in pieces. We need family to love and heal our wounds.

Gene did that for others. His voice could always calm you, his words could always reassure you, and his prayers could always lift you up.

Gene’s greatest joy was his relationship with Jesus Christ. He had a great faith and prayed for everyone in the family. His relationship to Jesus was strong. He believed in God’s Word and faithfulness. Knowing this, is a major source of comfort for this family. We know Gene is eternally with his Lord and Savior in heaven and that we will see Gene again.

Please pray for Gene’s children because both of their parents have been called to heaven in less than a year.

We know that Gene would want us to remind everyone to please take the time to say I love you to your family members every day. Do not take life or love for granted, EVER! Our season on earth is brief, so please invest your time, treasure, and talent in positive and Godly goals. Do not waste precious time on things that have no real value in this life or the life to come. Make each day count. You never know when God may call you or your beloved home.

Because no one knows when God may require their soul, we want to offer everyone reading this tribute to Gene Perkins an opportunity to pray and ask Jesus to become the Lord and Savior of their life.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is the ONLY WAY to secure eternal life with God, our heavenly father.

Jesus also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believed in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

So say the following salvation prayer and KNOW from this day forward where YOU will spend eternity.

Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I humble myself and repent of my sins. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe you sacrificed your life and rose again from the dead to secure my salvation. Jesus come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen!

If you prayed that prayer, then you are born again and saved from your sins and hell. You are not perfect, but you are forgiven.

You will be like Gene Perkins on resurrection day---Aint NO grave gonna hold your body down

When the trump of the Lord sounds!!

The dead in Christ will rise first! Hallelujah!!!

We will not say goodbye, because we know nothing can separate us forever, if we are prepared at the end of this life to go to our eternal home in heaven. We will say, we will always love you and miss you beyond words. This is where the Cowboy rides away! Gene has left the building!!