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Walter Henry Perkins, 94

Walter Henry Perkins, 94 of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Wickenburg, Ariz., passed away on Aug. 30, 2018. Born in Ontario, Calif., on Jan. 26, 1924, to Walter Harvey Perkins and Thala Adele James. He had three siblings, Mary Lane (deceased), Jennette Gillette and Donald Perkins. He married Aleta Bennett. They later divorced. He met Geraldine Alice Wright Perkins in Pomona, Calif., and on Valentine’s Day in 1964 they were married, blending two families and sharing their lives together for 54 years.

Walt had a zest for life that not only inspired his family and friends, but also left them in awe. He was a painter by the age of eight; an Army Corporal during World War II stationed in Alaska; a cartoonist for Hanna-Barbera/MGM — drawing many of the early “Tom and Jerry” shows; a successful graphic designer for major companies (like M&M Mars, Nabisco, and AT&T); a cattle rancher; a sawmill builder/owner/operator; a stained-glass artist; a teacher; a furniture builder; a home builder; an entrepreneur; an award-winning archer; a first-rate outdoorsman; a fisherman; an accomplished skin diver in spear fishing and harvesting lobsters and abalones; a golf enthusiast; a traveler and a husband, father and friend.

In 1990 Walter retired from graphic design. He and Geri traveled to Canada, France, Mexico, Ireland, Israel, and throughout the United States. One of their favorite pastimes was taking weekend drives and visiting various cultural and historical sites. They also enjoyed long bike trips with overnight stays.

He found a new love in playing golf shortly after his retirement as well. He played almost every day for 26 years in Fort Washington, Pa., the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Course and Wickenburg Country Club, where he enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of his fellow golf mates. They would often comment on how skilled his game was, especially for his age. Even after Alzheimer’s had robbed him of his abilities to play on the course, he spent many hours playing in his mind and talking about golf. He was an inspiration to his family and was loved and respected by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Geri; sons and daughter in-laws: James and Linda Mooney, Randy and Barbara Perkins and Kelly and Miriam Perkins; daughter and son in-law, Susie and Denny O’Brien; daughters, Trisha Thomas and Lisa Perkins Koep; and former son-in law, Michael Koep; grandchildren, Cary Rich, Jeff Perkins, Michelle Mooney (deceased) Michael Mooney, Robert Mooney, Kurtlund Mooney (deceased), Greg Spader, Susie Briggs, Bridget Gustin, Jared, Justin and Ryan Schoenrock, Summer Truillo, Jessica Christensen, Tasia Hutchings, Dan and Kevin O’Brien, Rachel Gillenwater, Craig Perkins, Theresa Rucker, Amber Hill, Brenda Cranford, Mark Perkins, Michael Scott Koep and 48 great-grandchildren. The family would like to send their deepest gratitude to Natalya Mcfadden, Kaytie Gilroy, Lisa Meyers, Margaret Cultice, and Paul Barber of Kindred Hospice and Charles Tuzil of Coeur d’Alene.

A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club, 2321 Fairway Dr., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The family asks that memorial contributions go the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Walt’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.