Errol Perkins

Errol Perkins, 84, of Baker City, OR died on March 16, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center. A celebration of life/reception will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024~ 11 a.m. at the Eagles Club in Baker City, OR.

Errol Thomas Perkins was born on June 19, 1939 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to parents Edward and Gladys Perkins. 

At the age of 16, Errol entered into a 4-year apprenticeship program to learn cabinetry and finish work.  To enter into an apprenticeship during the 1950’s in Australia, you had to have a perfect and clean record. You then signed paperwork which basically stated that the State of Queensland owned you. Any wrongdoing, be it stealing or any other crime would get you expelled and you would never be allowed to join any other apprenticeship again.  By Errol’s 4th year he received high honors and was given a full scholarship for a 5th year to become a teacher.  He was unable to accept it as he was newly married with a baby on the way and needed full wages.

Errol worked hard his entire life, 7 days a week 365 days a year. He always rose to the top because he was always willing to do the work that needed to be done. For the duration of every job he had, he learned everything he could about machinery, welding, building with metal, steel, and wood. Anything that was there to learn he soaked it up. There was only one time in Errol’s life where he had a regular job 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with vacation, benefits and people who truly knew their stuff.  That place was Marvin’s in Baker City.

Errol married Ida Richards October 27, 1973 in St. Anthony, Idaho.  Ida had wanted a Chihuahua for nearly 3 decades when they got Auzzie.  Auzzie and Errol were joined at the hip and you rarely found one without the other nearby. He also had a fascination with steam engines and locomotives.

Errol was never selfish with his talents.  He would help anybody and never acted like he was better than other people in the world. Every place he worked he made things better, safer and more efficient.  Errol’s abilities flowed through him so easily that he never saw anything special about himself.  He was a brilliant genius and anyone who knew or worked with him would agree. He could teach you anything you wanted to learn. There was no one who was around Errol who did not come out a smarter and better person.

Errol was preceded in death by his son Glenn; parents Edward and Gladys Perkins; sister Beverly Perkins.

He is survived by his wife Ida Perkins of Baker City; daughters Tialene and Carolyn Perkins, Irene Mack, Lisa Jayne Lansdown; sons Nolan (Theresa) Perkins, Noel Perkins and Steven Perkins; 6 grandchildren in Australia and 10 grandchildren in America.

Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com