Stephen James Perkins Jr.

KIMBERLY - Stephen James (Jim) Perkins Jr. was born Jan. 8, 1929, in Twin Falls, Idaho. His parents, Stephen James, Sr. and Mae Elzina Atkinson Perkins took him home to join his two brothers, Duane and Darwin, at their home in Murtaugh, Idaho. He attended schools in Murtaugh until 1945. He played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He also played trumpet in the band. His senior year he transferred to Twin Falls High School, also playing in the band and the pep band there. He graduated from there in 1946. As a proud Aggie, Jim attended Utah State University from 1946 to 1950. While there, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC, joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and played in the marching band and a dance band. During the summer between his junior and senior years at Utah State, he became reacquainted with Marjorie (Midge) Green Nefzger. They married that fall on Sept. 25, 1950. Making their family complete, Jim was lucky enough to gain Midge's daughter, Debbie, whom he later proudly adopted. Jim graduated from Utah State in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. Upon graduation, the family moved to Twin Falls, where he gained employment at a car dealership. Jim also enjoyed assisting his mother in various tasks running Graceman's Auto Court and helping his father on his cattle ranch in Nevada. He began his lifelong career in the bean and grain business when he started working at Magic Valley Bean Warehouse in Kimberly. In 1954, Jim and Midge and their four children moved to Murtaugh when he began managing Valley Bean and Grain, which he later purchased. He became a good friend to many of the farmers and was respected by all. He was very active in the community, serving as mayor and chairman of the school board. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in callings such as superintendent of Sunday school and Scoutmaster. He was also a member of the Elks. Jim and Midge had five more children born to them after moving to Murtaugh. They enjoyed many years raising their nine children at their home near Murtaugh Lake. In 2003, they purchased a home in Kimberly, Idaho, where they resided at the time of his death. Jim passed peacefully at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and his two brothers. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Midge Perkins of Kimberly, Idaho; their children, Deb (Mark) Cummins, Kim (Mike) Bland, Shannon (Greg) Stanger, Scott (Shari) Perkins, Doug (Tamy) Perkins, Chris (Elliot) Perkins-Lurie, Kip (Jill) Perkins, Stacy Perkins and Joni (Steve) Nelso; 24 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at White Mortuary and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the LDS Church in Murtaugh, with the funeral following at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice. Jim was a man of great integrity with a kind and loving heart and will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Tuesday, December 17th, 2013
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Second Visitation

When: Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Location: Funeral Home
Address: