Dean Perkins, who gained a measure of fame, at least locally, because of his publicized association with a group of senior citizen - war veterans, has died. He was 92 years old.
Viewing is from 1-8 p.m. today, December 15, at Dopkins Funeral Chapel. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 16, also at Dopkins Chapel.
His fellow Romeos will be the pallbearers.
Perkins, who saw combat during World War II in the Pacific Theater, will be buried with full military honors at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, in western Merced County.
But when Perkins is eventually laid to rest, his fellow Romeos will "caravan" and follow Perkins's casket to the burial site.
Romeos stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
Perkins was wounded twice in the Philippines, both times by mortar fire. It was the shrapnel from his first wound that eventually proved fatal.
Doctors left part of it in his leg because the metal was embedded too deeply. The doctors could not remove all of the shrapnel.
A tumor was found underneath the metal that had been in his leg for so very long and the cancer later spread to his lungs.
Perkins was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
He was one of the soldiers who helped liberate the city of Manila and the prisoners in a concentration camp.
"Gen. MacArthur handed him [Perkins] a battlefield commission, right there on the battlefield".
Perkins retired as a first lieutenant.
Perkins held an array of jobs, but for about 20 years he was city manager of at least three cities in the Southwest. He had a knack for working well with people and solving all sorts of problems.
Viewing is from 1-8 p.m. today, December 15, at Dopkins Funeral Chapel. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 16, also at Dopkins Chapel.
His fellow Romeos will be the pallbearers.
Perkins, who saw combat during World War II in the Pacific Theater, will be buried with full military honors at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, in western Merced County.
But when Perkins is eventually laid to rest, his fellow Romeos will "caravan" and follow Perkins's casket to the burial site.
Romeos stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
Perkins was wounded twice in the Philippines, both times by mortar fire. It was the shrapnel from his first wound that eventually proved fatal.
Doctors left part of it in his leg because the metal was embedded too deeply. The doctors could not remove all of the shrapnel.
A tumor was found underneath the metal that had been in his leg for so very long and the cancer later spread to his lungs.
Perkins was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
He was one of the soldiers who helped liberate the city of Manila and the prisoners in a concentration camp.
"Gen. MacArthur handed him [Perkins] a battlefield commission, right there on the battlefield".
Perkins retired as a first lieutenant.
Perkins held an array of jobs, but for about 20 years he was city manager of at least three cities in the Southwest. He had a knack for working well with people and solving all sorts of problems.
Dean Perkins, who gained a measure of fame, at least locally, because of his publicized association with a group of senior citizen - war veterans, has died. He was 92 years old.
Viewing is from 1-8 p.m. today, December 15, at Dopkins Funeral Chapel. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 16, also at Dopkins Chapel.
His fellow Romeos will be the pallbearers.
Perkins, who saw combat during World War II in the Pacific Theater, will be buried with full military honors at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, in western Merced County.
But when Perkins is eventually laid to rest, his fellow Romeos will "caravan" and follow Perkins's casket to the burial site.
Romeos stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
Perkins was wounded twice in the Philippines, both times by mortar fire. It was the shrapnel from his first wound that eventually proved fatal.
Doctors left part of it in his leg because the metal was embedded too deeply. The doctors could not remove all of the shrapnel.
A tumor was found underneath the metal that had been in his leg for so very long and the cancer later spread to his lungs.
Perkins was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
He was one of the soldiers who helped liberate the city of Manila and the prisoners in a concentration camp.
"Gen. MacArthur handed him [Perkins] a battlefield commission, right there on the battlefield".
Perkins retired as a first lieutenant.
Perkins held an array of jobs, but for about 20 years he was city manager of at least three cities in the Southwest. He had a knack for working well with people and solving all sorts of problems.
Viewing is from 1-8 p.m. today, December 15, at Dopkins Funeral Chapel. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 16, also at Dopkins Chapel.
His fellow Romeos will be the pallbearers.
Perkins, who saw combat during World War II in the Pacific Theater, will be buried with full military honors at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, in western Merced County.
But when Perkins is eventually laid to rest, his fellow Romeos will "caravan" and follow Perkins's casket to the burial site.
Romeos stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
Perkins was wounded twice in the Philippines, both times by mortar fire. It was the shrapnel from his first wound that eventually proved fatal.
Doctors left part of it in his leg because the metal was embedded too deeply. The doctors could not remove all of the shrapnel.
A tumor was found underneath the metal that had been in his leg for so very long and the cancer later spread to his lungs.
Perkins was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
He was one of the soldiers who helped liberate the city of Manila and the prisoners in a concentration camp.
"Gen. MacArthur handed him [Perkins] a battlefield commission, right there on the battlefield".
Perkins retired as a first lieutenant.
Perkins held an array of jobs, but for about 20 years he was city manager of at least three cities in the Southwest. He had a knack for working well with people and solving all sorts of problems.
Inscription
1STLT US ARMY WWII
BRONZE STAR PURPLE HEART
WITH ONE OAK LEAF CLUSTER
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