Jack Ronda Perkins, 81, of Elizabethton, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at Wellmont Hospice House, Bristol.
Born in Avery County, N.C., he lived his entire life in Carter County. He was a son of the late Clarence and Dorothy Ellis Perkins.
Jack was a 1952 graduate of Elizabethton High School. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by Summers-Taylor for 30 years and served Carter County as Road Superintendent for the last 20 years. He loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman.
Jack was an active member of Hunter United Methodist Church. He was a friend to many and always had a smile.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, JoAnn Nidiffer Perkins; several cousins; a special niece, Katrina Nidiffer; a nephew, Toby Nidiffer and wife Carol; a great-nephew, Andrew Nidiffer and wife Alyssa; a great-niece, Kerri Nidiffer; two sisters-in-law, Kathryn Collins and Carolyn Nidiffer; and a brother-in-law, Jay Nidiffer and his wife Katie.
The funeral service for Mr. Perkins will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Estill Williams, the Rev. Mike Berry, the Rev. Mark Fowler and the Rev. Bobby Stout officiating. Music will be provided by the former Assurance Quartet, Katrina Nidiffer, Greg Ruston and Tawana Holland. The graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 27, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Monday, will be Cameron Hyder, Daniel Holder, Rick Cates, Richard Thompson, Clarence Reed, Terry Haynes, Jim Holmes, Tony Bowers and Andrew Nidiffer. Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Nidiffer, Bill Cline, Ken Rainbolt, Jay Nidiffer, Micah Cates, John Kemp, Johnny Ledford, Jason Smith, Joe Ellis, Jack’s Sunday School Class, Hunter United Methodist Church family and present and former employees of the Carter County Highway Department. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the staff of Wellmont Hospice House, Lora and Jessica Duke, Donna Whittemore, Nadine Odom, John Lewis, Irene Lewis, Mabel Rogers, Jan Showalter, his barber John D. Snyder and his home caregivers, Carole, Robin and Fryda. Also, a very special “Thank You” to Tony and Linda Bowers, Carolyn Nidiffer and Katrina Nidiffer, his companions on his many trips to Vanderbilt. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Monday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Perkins family.