Rodger Dwaine Perkins

The Rev. Rodger Dwaine Perkins, age 95 passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus his Lord with his family at his side on February 2, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan September 30, 1928, to immigrant parents George R.V. Perkins of England and Winnifred Kerkstra of Holland. The family of five boys and one sister moved to Santa Ana, CA and joined the Assembly of God Church. Rodger was active in the choir, youth, and Christ’s Ambassadors, when he received the call to foreign missions in Japan. He graduated from Santa Ana High School, and attended college to complete his ministerial studies at Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO. While attending college he met his wife, Alma Nadine Brown of Bartlesville, OK and they were wed on May 28, 1950, at Bartlesville 1st Assembly of God after his graduation. Three children were born, Stephen, Byron, and Carol in the first decade of their ministry. They pastored in South Dakota, Kansas, and Southern California, where he completed his B.A in Religious Education at Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University) before being appointed to Assemblies of God World Missions in Japan. Sailing with his family to Japan for the first time in August 1962, endeavoring to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism, church planting, teaching English Bible lessons, and assisting the Japan Assemblies of God to build four churches. Together they served 6 terms in Japan, from 1962-1995, returning to Bartlesville to care for Nadine’s mother, Edith Brown. He joined the staff at Bartlesville 1st Assembly, now Spirit Church, as visitation pastor and pastor to seniors, until his 90th birthday in 2018. Known affectionately as Pastor Perk, it is said he was hard to keep up with, serving tirelessly like the energizer bunny, and in his own words, “still a Perkin” right up until the end. In their “golden years” they enjoyed some memorable cruises, world travels to Europe, Israel, Japan, and frequent trips to visit their children on the East and West coasts, Alaska, and Hawaii. A faithful husband of 73 + years, a faithful servant of the Lord as an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God for 72 years, a faithful father, grandfather, great grandfather, and soon to be great-great grandfather. He will be deeply missed by his church, family, and friends. Rodger was preceded in death by his brothers Richard Perkins, Robert Perkins, Frederick Perkins, George William (Bill) Perkins, and sister Winnefred Osborn. He is survived by his wife of 73 + years Alma Nadine (Brown) Perkins, children Stephen Victor Perkins (Teresa), Dr. Byron Edward Perkins, DO (Sherry), Carol Perkins Long, LPN, 3 grandsons Christopher Perkins (Maria), Brannon Long (Chelsea), Justin Perkins (Tiana Marie), 5 granddaughters Jenica Belsha (Damon), Heather Perkins, Stacy Pleta (John), Marcy Long Lawson (Tim) and Aubrey Perkins Arbaugh (Andrew); 25 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and the second coming in August, 2024. A come and go visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024, at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, 918-333-7665. A Celebration of life and ministry will be held at Bartlesville Spirit Church, 2121 Madison Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006 at 2 PM Saturday, February 10, 2024, with Pastor Jason Fullerton and Pastor Darryl Wootton, Oklahoma Assemblies of God District Superintendent, officiating. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Spirit Church to support Japan Missions. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville. Services are under the direction of Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Rodger Dwaine Perkins

September 30, 1928 - February 2, 2024