In Memory of James Perkins

Seonghwa

Dec 18

Written By Youth and Young Adult Ministry

James “Jim” Perkins

Spouse: Joan Perkins
Children: Christopher, Stephen, Andrew
Birthdate: May 25, 1929
Blessing: April 7, 1989
Ascension: November 30, 2023
Seonghwa Ceremony: December 19, 2023

Jim Perkins’ life is a beautiful story of loving dedication and service to his family, his faith, and the world around him. Born to James and Minnie Perkins in the London borough of West Ham, he grew up with an older sister, Minnie, and three younger siblings, Irene, Daphne, and Chas.

He was ten years old when WWII started, and like most children in London, he was evacuated to the countryside. But he returned a year later, in the midst of the London blitz, to continue his education at a Secondary school and later at the Grammar school.

It was his interaction with teachers at the Grammar school that sparked his enthusiasm for education. So, after completing his National Service, he went through teacher training at Culham College. A month after graduating from Culham, Jim married the love of his life, Joan, on August 4, 1951, in St George’s church in East Ham.

He taught in several east London schools, and by 1956 had two sons, Christopher and Stephen. From the outset, Jim and Joan worked together to provide for their growing family, and although the post-war economy was tough, with some careful budgeting, they were able to buy their first house in East Ham.

After six years of teaching in London, Jim went back to the Army, this time as an officer in the Royal Army Education Corps. His first two tours of duty were in south Wales, where their third son, Andrew, was born. This was followed by three years in Malaya and four more postings in the UK, totaling nineteen years in the Army.

While in Malaya, Jim and Joan seized every opportunity to travel with the family to different parts of the country and experience the Malayan culture firsthand. Those trips were full of fun and began the tradition of family camping every summer.

Jim retired from the Army as a Major, and after teaching in schools for three more years he and Joan did something completely different and bought a small shop and a house in Hothfield. The shop proved to be more work than expected, but after four-and-a-half years they had tripled the shop’s daily takings and became part of the neighborhood.

Leaving Hothfield as retirees, Jim and Joan moved to Ryarsh, Kent where they attended St Martin’s church, discovered the game of indoor bowls, and volunteered significant time at Age Concern.

They also started attending meetings in London for parents of Unification Church members. Since Christopher had joined five years prior, and the media was full of adverse publicity, they decided to find out more about the church on their own. As a result, they worked with the Parents Department for several years, and in 1989, Jim and Joan were Blessed in New York City.

In 1995 they moved to a beautiful house in Norfolk. Jim loved gardening, and in town they helped with an over-sixty group called the Friday Club and made some long-lasting friendships at St Mary’s church. While there, they celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary, which was attended by the whole family. It was a memorable and joyful gathering and testified to Jim and Joan’s constant love and investment.

Eventually, the house and garden became too much to handle, and they downsized to a two-bedroom flat at Emma Court, Basingstoke, which is only half an hour from Stephen.

In 2020 Jim had to move into a care home because of dementia. He passed away in the early morning of November 30, 2023 with Joan and Stephen by his side.

Jim’s constant investment into the community wherever he lived, his sincere service in the field of education, his absolute commitment to a life of faith, and the loving devotion he had for his family are the legacies by which Jim will be remembered with love and affection. He is survived by his wife, Joan; siblings, Daphne and Chas; three sons, Christopher, Stephen, and Andrew; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.