Thomas "Tommy" Perkins Sr.

PERKINS, SR., Thomas "Tommy"Age 78, passed June 3, 2009. Born September 9, 1930, the son of A.B. and Louise H. Perkins. Survived by his wife of 56 years, Annie Lou Ford Perkins; daughter, Lynn Ann (Joe) King, Mt. Sterling, KY and son, Thomas (Sharon) Perkins of Bow, NH; grandchildren, Lt. J.G. Patrick King, aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf, Katie King, Ben Perkins, Emily, Megan and Molly Perkins; sister, Mary Ann (Eugene) Branham, Jr. of Gallatin. He attended Gallatin Schools, graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN in 1948, attended Vanderbilt and graduated from U.T. College of Pharmacy in 1952. Following two years of military service in the Korean War, Tommy began an active participation in both, business and civic life in Gallatin. He joined his father in the operation of Perkins Drug Store, founded in 1895. He was to remain actively engaged in this business until his retirement in 1995. Perkins Drug Store continues today after 114 years. Civic activities included memberships in First United Methodist Church, serving as communion steward until his illness, meals on wheels program for 12 years, charter member of the Kiwanis Club, one of the organizers of Greater Gallatin, served on Gallatin Electric Power Board, ten years on County Zoning Board of Appeals, American Legion and one of the founders of First Independent (Green Bank), active participant in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and after surviving a battle with Hodgkin's Disease, he devoted 10 years as a Hospice Volunteer at Sumner Regional Medical Center. Funeral service will be Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11 a.m., from the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Carleton Thackston, Rev. Felix Snell and Rev. Lorin Pedigo officiating. Interment will be in Crestview Memorial Park, with Tom Schlater, Bob Freeman, Tom Neal, Bob Morgan, Sam Rickman and Ben Perkins serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are (Golf Buddies) Joe Blackshear, Hal Hooper and Joe Pate, "A.I.G." (Arby's in Gallatin) coffee club, "Old Geezers" Friday Lunch Bunch, and the employees of Perkins Drug Store. Visitation will be today, 2-8 p.m and Saturday, 10-10:45 a.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 149 West Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066. Online condolences may be sent at www.familyheritagefh.com. FAMILY HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME, 615-452-7115.