John Ellis Perkins
September 7, 1948 ~ October 4, 2018
Resided in:
Leicester, North Carolina
John Ellis Perkins, 70, of Leicester, died on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at his home.
Born in Chico, CA, and raised in Redding, CA, John was a son of the late Robert and Peggy Perkins. John spent many years in Lake Tahoe, CA, before moving to Leicester, NC, in 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Lita Foster Perkins; sons, Scott Perkins and wife Jenny, and Shane Perkins; sisters, Jana Pratt and Lynnette Perkins; granddaughters, Grace and Jazzmin; niece, Cortney and grandnieces, Olivia, Annika and grandnephew, Marcus; nephew, Cris and wife Lauren; and many other family members and loved ones.
John wished to be remembered as having had an interesting and unusual life - he was loved and he loved everyone.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at The Venue, 21 N. Market St., in downtown Asheville, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 17. Please RSVP to Lita at (828) 335-8126.
Celebrations in Tahoe City and Redding will take place in 2019.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Lita – Sending heartfelt condolenses for your loss of John. We have fond memories of the two of you and your ‘Pretty Good Kitchen’. Please let us know when you will be having a celebration of John’s life here in Tahoe. You are in our thoughts and hope that the love of your friends and family give you comfort. I don’t know when the photo above was taken, but other than the beard, he looks just the same as I remember him. Love to you.
Joy Waite and Mark Calhoun
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. You and your family are in our prayers.
Dear Lita,
My heart aches for you. I have such fond memories of John…first meeting him at Mela’s and realizing the kind service he provided. He painted a couple rooms for me and installed a dining room fixture which was not an easy task! We were able to have some wonderful conversations while he was here.
I honor John and the beautiful man he was and life he lived.
Lita, I am stunned to see John’s obituary! Too soon gone for such a young fellow. Marian and I will cherish our times with him on our projects at Stonebridge. Best wishes to you and family.
Lita….I was sorry to hear about our beloved John—he left us to soon, He was beloved handy man who could repair and fix any thing. The 10 years that I have known John he was a true fried—I wa s truly blessed to have known him,. He will truly be missed…..Holding you and your family in God;s light with our thought and prayers,
charlie schooff fairview, nc
Travel well, my Brother. You will be missed by all your friends and neighbors. I feel blessed that we got to spend such a fun time together installing the Stonebridge neighborhood free library last fall. I will always remember you whenever I visit the library. Your quick smile, your kindness and your awareness will remain with me always. I’m sure we will meet again on the other side.
Namaste
Lita, in the short time I’ve known you and JOHN, I really came to realize what a special guy he was. He seemed to me to be a voice of calm and reason in a crazy tumultuous world. He just seemed to me to be just an all around good and good natured man. I’m sure he will be missed by all who knew him. So sorry for your loss.
Such a warm and gentle soul you are John. So appreciative of the many synchronicities that brought you, Lita and me together at BBB and GreenLife during these past 8 months since your surprising diagnosis. I know your vision is ‘crystal’? clear and ‘rock’? solid as you embark on this next chapter of your eternal adventure. Shine on bright light that you are.
Lita, My heartfelt condolences to you and to your family. John will be sorely missed. I am so glad that you were both at our 50th Class Reunion and that John and I had a chance to visit. Loving thoughts and prayers are being sent your way.
John,
You truly were the best. I am sorry that me note to you don’t get to you soon enough. Love and best wishes to your family.
As ever,
terry
John, you were always helpful and able to open my aperture on how to enjoy life. I will always appreciate your gracious nature and willingness trying to assist others.. Peace to you John.
I was surprised to see that John was 70. He looked so young! It must have been from the good food he ate and meditating. Even a few days before his passing he had such light in his eyes and the familiar smile on his face (from a picture Lita texted me) He was a lover of animals as well as people. His boundless energy was reflected in his never ending projects around the house and property. He had a good life and was not afraid of dying. He did everything he could to heal so that he could stay with Lita and his family on the earthly plane. It wasn’t meant to be. He will help us from the other side, the veil is thin. He no longer is limited by a body, his vision is clear. I was fortunate to know him the past few years. He will be missed.
I will remember John as a very kind and gentle soul. And we have been blessed to know him. He will be deeply missed.
I knew John only briefly but was struck by his openness, his kindness, his sense of humor, and his willingness to connect with people. He was a beautiful soul. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing but will remember him fondly. Sending lots of love to his family.
Dear Lita, the last time we saw John, he was tapping us on the shoulder in Malaga and we ended having a great meal together. We always loved his humour and his fruits and vegetables( seen through facebook) and we really enjoyed seeing you in Asheville, when was that? a few years ago?
John was one of a kind and we are lucky to have crossed his path. He was a genuine good person and an inspiration. Love and prayers to you and your family. Kem and Francois(Some friends from Petaluma)
I worked with John at Red Oak in Leicester, and will always remember his humor, wisdom and grounded presence. He was a light and full of love, and will be deeply missed.
I have so many fond memories of working with John at Perkin’s Pretty Good Grocery in Olympic Valley, CA. He was always such a bright light in everyone’s life and I know how much he’ll be missed. I hope all of the wonderful memories bring much comfort and peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Lita and the entire family.
Dear Lita – Was saddened to read about John in the Sierra Sun – a tremendous loss for you and his family, and for the cadre of friends who he had a wonderful impact on their lives. I had only met him once when we happened to be at the Ikeda’s in Auburn at the same time so many years ago. He seemed like a lovely man and I was happy for you because you have always deserved the best. No pearls of wisdom, just know that I care. Hugs to you and your family. –
Lita, I just learned about John’s passing from Joe Walsh. I am very sorry for your loss and am thinking of you and yours. Wishing you all the best, Amy
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing but I feel blessed to have know him. I was struck by John’s quiet strength, sense of humor and self-assurance. I hope that in time, the laughter will come before the tears, Lita. I am glad that I ran into both of you at Earthfare a few months back. You and he are beautiful and I am holding space in my heart for you as you mourn. -Joe
Please accept my belated condolences. I learned much from John while working at his and Lita’s shop, Perkins Pretty Good Grocery, in Olympic Valley as a teen. Most of all I remember John’s smile, seriousness about wholesome eating, and his dedication to peaceful ways. John lives on in all the people he taught, fed, and made so happy. Blessings to you, Lita, and your family.