Ret. U.S. Army Col. James Richard Perkins, 86, Atchison, Kansas died unexpectedly January 5, 2017 at his residence.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 12:30 P.M. at the Riverbend Bible Church with Pastor Bob Flack officiating. Interment will follow in Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Riverbend Bible Church and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final arrangements have been entrusted. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

James was born June 8, 1930 in Van Buren, Missouri the son of James Moses and Anna Myrek Perkins. He attended schools in Van Buren, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisianna.

James served in the United States Army from 1966 until his retirement in 1986 with the rank of Colonel. He served as Chaplain for thirty years most recently at Ft. Leavenworth from 1983 until 1986.

Mr. Perkins relocated to Atchison, Kansas in November of 2016 from Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was a member of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs and attended Riverbend Bible Church since moving to Atchison.

Survivors include three sons, James R. (Karen) Perkins, Jr., Florissant, MO; Pete K. Perkins, North Little Rock, ARK; John A. (Lindsay) Perkins, St. Louis, MO; two step-sons, Andrae (Michelle) Bopp, Walla Walla, WA; Anthony (Janet) Bopp, Booneville, MO; six grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.