Ray was born on November 23, 1928 to William Garrett "Newt" and Mary (Boston) Perkins. He was the youngest of three children. In his teens he worked for the old B.N. sales yard herding cattle and helping at the sales yard. Ray married D. Joanne Beardsley on February 15, 1949 in Miles City. To this union two children were born, Bill and Janet. Ray was always interested in their activities and supported them in their interests. He became a policeman at the age of twenty and had to have a waver signed by his father in order to be hired. He was a policeman for twenty years. After retiring from the police force, he was a civilian advisor to police forces in Vietnam. He was then a Deputy U.S. Marshall for a year. He became a contractor and built many houses in Miles City. He enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the business and the pride of accomplishment.
Ray loved hunting and was one of the first outfitters in Eastern Montana. He made many lifetime friends in the business that he was still in contact with. He was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Montana Guides and Outfitters Association. He retired from hunting a few years ago but still enjoyed going out.
Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne Perkins of Miles City, MT; his son, Bill (Pat) Perkins of Miles City, MT; his daughter, Janet (Dick) Markle of Glasgow, MT; his grandchildren: Mark Perkins of Bozeman, MT, Sasha (Darryl) Kissler of Kalispell, MT, Keely (Joel) Woods of Miles City, MT, Kayla Perkins of Portland, OR, Michelle (Brett) Huntsman of Butte, MT, Bess (Nick) Reid of Colstrip, MT and Krista (Ty) Traxler of Bozeman, MT. Ray is also survived by four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob and his sister Jean.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Cottonwood Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Window Memorial or to the charity of one´s choice.
B Dean Holmes says
Ray was solid and dedicated.
I was lucky to know him.
John & Nikki Brown says
We enjoyed Uncle Ray so much and we will always miss him.
Sincere sympathy,
John and Nikki
Merle and Linda Clark says
JoAnn and family: We are deeply sadden with your loss. Our thoughts and prayers our with all of you.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Bill and Pat,
Sorry to read about your father. Our deepset sympathy to all the family on your loss.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Dear Joanne, You have our deepest sympathies, you will be in our thoughts and our prayers. May God give you His peace and comfort at this time. Chris and Diana
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
Dear Joann, We are sorry to hear of your husbands’ passing. Please know all of you are in my prayers now and in the coming months. I will let Dad ( Howard Moths) know of Ray’s death as well. Dad has been transplanted to Spearfish, just a year ago now. We care of your loss.
Sincerely, Pam, Dave & family
Dan,Deb,Cheyenne, and Tulsa Herzog says
We will miss you.
Tamara Beardsley Choat says
Family are like a set of Crayola crayons. You may have 8 or 64 or 120, but each is its own unique color. And when one is gone, there is an empty place in the box. You can put another crayon in there, but it won’t be the same. There will always be a color missing. Miss you Uncle Ray. And I finally figured out you really didn’t flunk 3rd grade three times!
Wishing I could be there for you today, Aunt Joanne. Love you lots.
Janette Krutzfeldt Jones says
Joanne & family,
I am sorry for your loss. Ray could visit like no one else, and he had that special ability to joke with a person and the person couldn’t tell whether he was serious or “pulling my leg.” I have fond memories of him.
Fondly, Janette
Don Kristiansen and family says
Dear Joanne and family
We were saddened to hear about the loss of Ray. Ray was a tremendous friend and companion to myself and especially my father, Elden. Many of the best times I have spent with my father were hunting with Ray. I’m thankful that my own son, Brendan was privileged to meet Ray. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Don Kristiansen and family
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Schmitz says
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Our video store was across the street,and I made many copies of guiding trips,in the 80’s. I really enjoyed our visits. Take care.
Karson and Marie Farnum Kluver says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ray met everyone with a smile and a firm handshake. God Bless You.
Scott and Sue Jens says
Dear Joanne,
Our sympathies to you and your family, We will all miss Ray and his humor and stories he shared with us all.
Scott and Sue Jens
Aaron and Mollie Phipps says
“Uncle” Ray, was someone of whom I will never forget. At the service today it was spoke of that he was never without a lesson…he brought us doughnuts, encouraged us to never give up (hence his polio story, and the one about flunking whatever grade at least 3 times), and even a small lecture about skin cancer when he brought us all chapstick to go with our doughnuts. I am saddened by the fact that I was going to bring him doughnuts, and sit on the porch with him, and missed that one last time…it also reminds me of one more lesson that he taught us. Live each day as if it were your last, take the time, eat the doughnuts, put on your chapstick, and stick to your guns…. May there be a big buck and an easy chair for you in Heaven, rest in peace until we all meet again!
Lance Bredvold says
I’m sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. My best wishes to the family.
Joyce McKelvey Judd says
I was so surprised and sorry to read of Ray’s death. My family lived across the street from you growing up, I was friends with Janet, Joanne was my teacher and then I rented from you in later years. So sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Joyce
Michael & Drena Nitschke says
Drena and I extend our heartfelt condolences in the loss of your husband & father. How sad it is that we have to say goodbye to such and extraordinary generation of people.
Tamie Watts Walsh says
Joanne,Janet and Bill I know you have a lot of good memories because I was there when some were made at my home away from home in high school. How many of us kids did you help through those years? We have to many good byes any more. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this sad time. Tamie
Ernie Bartels says
I am sorry that I am late with this as I just saw the notice today. I remember going hunting with him and my dad and also visiting your home when I was little with my parents.
Ned Runge says
God Bless