Richard (Doc) Emmett Perkins
Richard (Doc) Emmett Perkins passed away on January 18, 2022, at the age of 90, surrounded by his family while in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Richard was born on October 10,1931 in Gulfport, MS, to Robert Emmett Perkins and Henrietta Browne. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, David Perkins.
Richard married Jo Ellen King in 1954, and they had three children: Beth, Robert, and Martha. He was remarried to Betty Gaspard in 1978.
After graduating from high school in Mount Hermon, Louisiana, Richard attended Southeastern Louisiana University for one year, then enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War as a navigator. After the war, he attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and received his DVM in 1960.
Because of his love for the great outdoors, Richard moved to Louisiana, "Sportsman's Paradise", to start his veterinary practice in Abbeville, LA. He opened a mixed animal practice, Perkins Veterinary Clinic, in 1965 and retired in 1996. He was the second veterinarian in Vermillion parish and mentored Clyde Prejean, DVM and Kim Bradley, DVM who later opened their own practices in Abbeville, Louisiana. Doc spent many nights delivering calves and performing C-Sections on cows in pastures across the parish. During hunting season, locals brought sick or injured pets to his camp in Pecan Island because they knew Doc would take care of them.
While running his practice, he developed a love of racehorses. His first racehorse, Robert K, was named after his son. Others that followed, PI Shooter and Shooting PI were in reverence to Pecan Island. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with Robert and friends at Clements’s racetrack. Richard loved life and loved sharing with others. One of his favorite things to do was cook for friends. His famous fried sacalait filets, eggplant, okra, potatoes and thinly sliced sweet potato chips were a favorite. He was generous in delivering fresh fish, boiled crabs, shrimp, and St. Paul's chicken salad to Vermillion parish residents.
Richard's best times were spent with family and friends at Pecan Island. He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, telling jokes, boiling crabs, and frying fish. He was an incredible gardener and grew the most delicious tomatoes. After retirement, he fished daily for sacalait in the Atchafalaya Basin. He described the 10 years, age 65-75, as his best years. He kept a detailed fishing log and was known to reach his limit by noon. Anyone lucky enough to be in his boat, learned about setting the hook, avoiding hang-ups, and not bringing a PPFA (Piss Poor Fishing Attitude). Contests were the norm-who caught the first, biggest and most fish. It was impossible to beat him, he was the ultimate sacalait fisherman.
Richard was a longtime member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Abbeville. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, American Association Equine Practitioners. He was also proud to be an Auburn Alumni. He leaves an incredible legacy to his family and friends.
Richard is survived by daughters, Beth (Terry) Jordan of Wimberley, TX and Martha Briley of Lake Charles; son, Robert (Patrice) Perkins of Erath; grandchildren Kyle Jordan, Paul (Taylor) Jordan, Ellen Briley, Spencer Briley, Meagan Perkins and Michelle Perkins; nephews Scott Perkins and Lane Perkins; his step-grandchildren, Chelsie (Nick) Domingue and Paige Rogers, and his step-great-grandchildren, Lillian Domingue and Brylon Bellot. The family will hold a small, private service to honor his life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Priest's discretionary fund at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 101 Vermillion St. Abbeville, LA 70501.