Harold R. Perkins “Perk” 86 of Sidney passed away early Sunday morning, August 18, 2024 at his home.
Family visitation will be Thursday, August 22 from 5-7 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Sidney, Nebraska. Services will be Friday, August 23 with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father C.P. Varghese officiating.
Cremation has taken place, and interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery following the service.
The service will be streamed live via Holechek-Bondegard Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hbfunerals) and available to watch after the service.
Memorials in Harold’s name can be made to St. Patrick’s Education Foundation or SAGA Fund (Sidney And Greater Area).
Harold Raymond Perkins, the oldest of three boys, was born August 3, 1938 in
La Crosse, Kansas to Evelyn T. (McHugh) and Harold C. Perkins. The Perkins family moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas in 1943. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School with the class of 1956 and attended college at Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas.
While attending college, Harold met Norma Browning. They married in 1959 in Phillipsburg, Kansas and celebrated 64 years together. From this union, three children were born-Terri, Tammy and Tom.
Harold started working for Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Co. (KN Energy) in 1962 as a laborer. He soon worked his way up to District Manager. During his years with the gas company, he and his family moved to several towns in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Kansas. Harold and Norma moved to Sidney in 1989, where he worked as the District Manager for KN and was promoted to Division Manager until his retirement in 1998.
His greatest joys were spending time with his family and helping others. He also had amazing leadership qualities that he shared through volunteering in his church and community. Harold served as an usher at St. Patrick’s Church for 30 years and served on the St. Pat’s Catholic Foundation and St. Pat’s Finance Committee. He was active in the Cheyenne County Chamber serving as President in 1999 and later an Ambassador. Other volunteer positions in Sidney included The Planning Commission, Airport Authority, Cheyenne County Community Center, SALT (Sidney Area Leadership Training), as well as several other City Boards, WNCC Endowment Association, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Sidney Elks Lodge, Panhandle Senior Golf, and Sidney Flyers.
His community and business leadership were also instrumental in the previous communities his career took his family. Including: Scott City, KS; Casper, WY; McCook, NE; Chadron, NE and Julesburg, CO.
Harold also had a few hobbies. He started playing golf in 1952, playing for his high school and college teams. He continued to be an excellent golfer for over 70 years and enjoyed teaching his family to love the game. He also liked to fly, starting with U-control models to RC model airplanes and even holding a pilot’s license for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Norma, his children, Terri Strand and husband Ron of Rapid City, SD, Tammy Miller and husband Steve of Sidney, and Tom Perkins and special friend, Susie Hart of Scottsdale, AZ. Grandchildren, Jennifer Vasquez and husband Sev, Michelle Haynes, Kelli Haynes, Blake Miller, and Arianna Perkins. Great granddaughters, Izzy, Addy and Emmy Vasquez. Brothers, Gerald Perkins and wife Becky, Verlyn Perkins and wife Kaye. Several nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Harold C. and Evelyne Perkins.