Dennis Howard Perkins

Dennis Howard Perkins, 79, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

He was born November 8, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Earnest Howard and Gloria (Butler) Perkins. He graduated from Euclid High School in 1962. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966, stationed in the Philippines and Japan. Dennis' last duty assignment was Air Police Squadron. He was in the Air Force Reserves from 1966 to 1968.

Dennis was employed by the Topeka Police Department for 28 years. He was a traffic officer for 16 years and served as the Director of the Police Athletic League for 12 years. He worked part time security at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Memorial Hospital, where he met his wife, Lorraine. After retirement from TPD he was employed for eight years as Loss Prevention Officer at JCPenney.

Dennis coached his daughters' softball teams for 12 years. He was on the Board of Directors for the Shawnee County Girls Softball Association and was an American Softball Association registered umpire and a basketball referee for many years. He was Chairman of the Topeka Police Athletic League Board of Directors, Regional Chairman to the Police Athletic League Board of Directors, District Representative for the National Police Athletic League, Committee Member of the Board of Directors for the Golden Gloves Association of Topeka, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of the Special Olympics Committee, Council Member of the Red Cross. He attended several universities for extensive training in various areas of law enforcement.

Dennis married Alice Lorraine Rollins on October 2, 1982 in Topeka, Kansas. She survives, along with his children Melissa Perkins Racer of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Tim Skinner of Topeka, Kansas, and Lisa Skinner Lux (Shannon) of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Quinten Racer, Jesse Skinner, Hali Lux Lewis (Chris), Zackary Lux, Emily Clanton and Elijah Clanton. He was preceded in death by his daughter Paula Perkins Clanton in August of 2021, and his parents Howard and Gloria Perkins.

Dennis enjoyed yelling at the Royals, watching KU Basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs, playing cards and fishing. He enjoyed trips to Branson with his family and competing alongside his good friend Jack Gillespie in fishing tournaments. He and his wife were leaders of their Bible study group in their home. He attended Grace Point Wesleyan Church.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24, at Grace Point Wesleyan Church at 5400 S.W. Huntoon Street in Topeka. The family will receive friends at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Police Athletic League, 320 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66603 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

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