Homer Ray Perkins

Homer Ray Perkins, 86, of Horseshoe Bay died May 16, 2012.  He was born in Marlin on June 2, 1925.

He graduated from Austin High School where he was on the basketball team.  His love of all sports continued during his life. He particularly enjoyed golf and fishing. He could often be found angling for crappie at the Horseshoe Bay Marina.

He spent three years serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II and the Korean War. He joined the Merchant Marine during World War II on Sept. 22, 1943, and was honorably discharged on Aug. 15, 1945. He traveled the world sailing in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean war zones.

He married Jean Burch on Jan. 25, 1948, but he did not actually say the words “Will you marry me?” until after 50 years of marriage and then proposed to her in the middle of a restaurant on one knee.

They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary earlier this year. She was  the love of his life. He was proud of his children and took great joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but he loved his wife above all else. Anyone who saw them together knew immediately the love and friendship they had for each other.

He briefly worked for the State Board of Insurance, then followed in his Uncle Dan’s footsteps by becoming an insurance field man for Floyd West & Co. He later left Floyd West and created an insurance partnership in Seakatz and Perkins.

He left the partnership to create Austin Surplus Lines Agency Inc. with his wife.  After some successful years, they formed the Texas Insurance Co. Inc., Tejas Insurance Managers Inc. and the Austin Premium Finance Inc.

From 1978 to 1979, he was president of the Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc.

He retired in 1985 and moved to Horseshoe Bay, where the family still owns the house on the Slick Rock Golf Course.

He loved to travel. After his retirement, he and his wife visited 48 of 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, mostly driving their motor home.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his sister Peg; children Alan, Rick and wife Nancy, BJ, and Randy and his wife Holly; grandchildren Ben, Christa, Ross, Taylor and Travis; and great-grandchildren Aidan, Cash, Christian and Haley.

He was preceded in death by his parents Homer Marvin Perkins and Mamie Ray Perkins; brother Melvin Perkins; and sister Pat Anderson.

A memorial service is 3 p.m. May 24 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805  U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.

A reception will be held immediately afterwards at the home in Horseshoe Bay.

Donations can be made in his name to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759.

Condolences can be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.