Gary Perkins

Gary Perkins, 64, of Richland, Oregon died Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at his sister’s home in Baker City surrounded by his family. As per his request there will be no funeral service.

Gary was born in Baker on December 4th, 1953, the son of Eugene Brent Perkins Jr. and Annie Felando Perkins. He graduated from Baker High School in 1972 with honors. While in school he excelled in track and field. The day after he graduated he left for San Pedro, California and moved in with his grandparents, Anka and Frank Felando. His first job was working for Starkist Tuna. The following year he began attending DeVry Institute in Phoenix, Arizona and he later received his Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering.  After graduation he took a job with Xerox Corporation. His talent and innovation landed him in Florida where he was instrumental in installing camera systems on Voyager I and II that went to Jupiter and Saturn.

Gary eventually moved to San Diego and started working for Linkabit. While at work he met his first wife, Barbara.  They had two children, Natalie and Brian. He decided to start his own business, which he called Microware Technology. As an electrical engineer, his company’s purpose was to design computer parts and help with computer technology.  During the next two decades Gary had a very successful career. He and Barbara shared twenty-five outstanding years raising their children and enjoying their love of outdoor activities.  

In 2007 Gary moved to Arizona where he met his second wife Dale Lynn.  In 2009 he moved back to eastern Oregon to help take care of his parents and the Perkins family ranch (Century Farm) on Chandler Lane. Gary and Dale Lynn spent several years traveling back and forth between Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon.

Gary was larger than life and loved to travel and seek adventure. His love for fishing was always prevalent. Over several decades he owned various fishing vessels. Gary’s favorite place to fish was in Mexico. He also enjoyed scuba diving and was always in pursuit of fish, lobster, abalone, and scallops. One of the hobbies that he thoroughly enjoyed was snow skiing. His favorite place to ski was in Lake Tahoe and for years he frequented his condo next to Heavenly Ski Resort. Gary’s other favorite hobby was golfing, which he excelled at.  He loved playing rounds of golf on the golf course that was right off of his house in Laughlin, NV.

He was preceded in death by both his mother and father, as well as his beloved niece Jessica.

Gary is survived by his daughter Natalie Bennett and his son Brian Perkins. He is also survived by his sister Shirley Dinger as well as his brothers Frank and Steve Perkins and numerous nieces and nephews.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Gary the family suggests Heart n’ Home Hospice (Baker City) through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com