Thomas Meguiar Perkins

1929 - 2016

PERKINS, Thomas Meguiar, 87, of Tullahoma, passed away on Nov. 5, 2016. Mr. Perkins was born April 8, 1929, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Presley and Elizabeth Perkins. He reached the highest rank in scouting as an Eagle Scout. He served in the United States Air Force as an armament officer during the Korean War and attended Western Kentucky University before attaining degrees from Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He worked as an aeronautical engineer at AEDC for over 30 years. Mr. Perkins volunteered for over 50 years in the Civil Air Patrol, achieving the rank of colonel. He found great joy in mentoring young people into the world of aviation. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved aunts, Mary and Nannie V. Perkins. He is survived by his wife, Margaret C. Perkins; children, Sarah Carter (Greg), of Tullahoma, Mary Kinken (Glenn) of Davidson, North Carolina, Tommy Perkins (Caroline) of Macon, Georgia, and Nick Perkins, of Tullahoma; grandchildren, Ben and Zoe Carter, Clara and Anna Kinken, and Veronica and Delia Perkins; and beloved relative Jerry Whittenberg, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. There will be a private graveside service with the Rev. Dr. Glenn Kinken officiating, and a celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 9, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Purdue and the Rev. Miriam Seyler officiating. Visitation will be held until 3 p.m. at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 208 W. Lauderdale St., Tullahoma, TN 37388 or to The American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Pkwy, Suite 1, Marietta, GA 30067-6411. Tullahoma Funeral Home asks that you sign the guest book at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com. Tullahoma Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.