Edwin R. “Ed” Perkins Edwin Rollins Perkins, 71, local small business owner and retired Navy chief, died suddenly on Nov. 14, 2011, at Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon.
Ed was born March 24, 1940, in Brentwood, N.H., to John C. and Evelyn E. Perkins. Ed was raised in Exeter, N.H. He graduated from high school in Exeter in 1958 and soon after, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His military career took him to many duty stations and ports, including the Philippines, Iceland, Rhode Island, Florida, Italy and finally to Whidbey Island, where he retired in 1979 as an Aviation Electrician (E-7).
During his last tour at NAS Whidbey, Ed settled in Coupeville and opened a small engine and mower repair shop out of his home on Ebey Road. Following his retirement from the Navy, he expanded operations by opening Perkins Mower and Saw Depot on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor. Mowers and equipment would be dropped off at that location, allowing Ed to take them to his home shop and return the items to the depot for pickup. A few short years later, Ed’s business in Oak Harbor grew large enough to require a full sales and service location on Midway Boulevard. Ed built his new shop on Goldie Road in 2001. To say Ed enjoyed being a small business owner is an understatement. Ed relished the fact that he was his own boss and was making a living doing something that energized him every single day. His sense of dedication to his customers was evident in his six-day work week and the rare personal vacations that he allowed himself. Ed loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, ,in his later years. He enjoyed watching football and baseball and rooted for the Seahawks and Mariners. He was a long- time member of the Coupeville Lions Club and was an active participant in their annual Lions Club Garage Sale each July. Ed was also a member of the American Legion, Post 0032 of Exeter, N.H., the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97 of Oak Harbor and Island County Fire District 5 (Now Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue).
Ed is survived by his wife Alice, Coupeville, and by three children, Chip Perkins and wife Shannon of Ford, Wash., Carl Perkins and wife Nicole of Newark, Del., and Colleen Perkins and fiancé Rick Camara of Spokane; and by five grandchildren, Wyatt, Emma, Jacob, Andrew and Nicholas Perkins. Five brothers and sisters also survive: John Cameron “Cam” Perkins of Exeter; Linda White of Big Lake, Ark., Charlotte Hilchey and Melanie Dolive, both of Longview, Texas, and Martha Jane Bean of Chicago.
Ed requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be sent to: Attn: Memorial Fund, Coupeville Lions Club P.O. Box 473 Coupeville, WA 98239. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, Oak Harbor.
