Charles Elliott Perkins V

Charles Elliott Perkins, V, beloved and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Sunday, August 7 in New Orleans, surrounded by loving family. He was 46. Elliott was born November 5, 1975 in Santa Barbara, California. Elliott attended Crane Country Day School in Montecito and the Thacher School in Ojai, California. Throughout his childhood, in spite of rarely being able to find his shoes, Elliott was drawn to creative pursuits of all types (and repelled by any organized sport), and his unrelenting imagination would take his studies and explorations down all sorts of wonderful and curious tangents. At Thacher, Elliott thrived in computer programming and ceramics, while he abhorred English and paper-writing. Fortunately, horseback riding counted as his sport. Elliott went to Tulane University, where he studied architecture, ultimately focusing on historic preservation. Multiple trips to Cuba, the city of New Orleans, travels with family, and his own time in historic family homes helped inform his aesthetic and appreciation of a broad range of architectural styles in conversation with their environment. After earning his Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Historic Preservation from Tulane, Elliott went to work as a Plans Examiner for the City of New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC), partnering with homeowners and contractors to facilitate beautiful renovations while preserving the unique character of the city. Shortly before Hurricane Katrina, Elliott was named Acting Executive Director of the HDLC, a position that became permanent in the wake of the storm through 2020. Elliott excelled in his work, helping to steward the city department towards modernized, more streamlined and transparent processes, balancing integral preservation needs with the overall redevelopment of the city after Katrina, and forging important partnerships across city agencies to better serve the city's residents. Elliott built community and family in New Orleans and everywhere he went. He recognized the humanity in everyone, welcoming all and never passing judgment. In 2000, Elliott fell in love with Steve Bishoff, and the two have been devoted partners ever since, marrying in 2008. Steve and Ell worked to create Next to Nothing Wines, bringing a community business to a creative space that had already been dear to Elliott at Art Egg. The shop and Elliott's and Steve's home became gathering places and safe havens for all, including their three beloved dogs, Lucy, Chloe, and Buster. And Elliott and Steve had recently opened a Rampart Street bed and breakfast. Elliott was a creative and imaginative force. A friend described him as crazy creative, with more project dreams than the world has lifetimes. A lover of life, Elliott loved to gather with friends and family, appreciating crowded dance floors and plentiful tables in equal measure. Elliott served his own delicious meals with his "asbestos fingers" as tongs. He was drawn to gadgets and gismos and complicated electronics. He loved to travel the world and meet new people, launch a wild new project (sometimes before the previous one was completed…), and revel in the wonder of his nieces' and nephews' curiosity. His laughter, bear hugs and presence would fill any space. Elliott is survived by his husband, Steve; his parents, Anne and Kim Perkins (Santa Barbara); his sisters, Kacey Perkins Tift (William) and Sarah Perkins (Jesse Royer); nephews Blaize, Cole, Elliott, Hastings, Charlie and Sam; his dog Buster, and countless friends, extended family, and cousins. In accordance with Elliott's wishes, friends and family will gather for a "Big F@%kin Party" in New Orleans, with interment in Santa Barbara at a later date. Over the years, Elliott designed and created some of the most remarkable costumes for Mardi Gras (with final adjustments well into Tuesday morning) along with all the other excuses to dress up in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Elliott Club at Art Camp 504, a non-profit in the Bywater dedicated to supporting all kids' artistic pursuits as well as the larger creative community of New Orleans. The Elliott Club at Art Camp 504 will host a Mardi Gras costume workshop for any kid to realize their wildest, imaginative costume dreams. Contributions can also be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.