Jack was born on March 8, 1930 in Woodruff, WI, to John A. and Mabel (Melton) Perkins. He was raised in Spooner, WI., and graduated from Spooner High School in 1948. After receiving a football scholarship, he attended the UW-Madison for one year.
Recognizing his duty to serve his country, he enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1950 as an engineer. From 1951 through 1952, and again from 1957 through 1960, he served beside his comrades in Korea. From 1952 through 1954, and from 1963 to 1965 he was stationed in Germany, and from 1967 through 1968, he again stood beside his comrades in Vietnam.
In 1963, while on leave, he took on a whole new mission. This mission would prove to be tougher than any military mission.
He became the loving, kind, and generous husband to Julia (Iverson) Smothers on Oct. 21, 1963, in Winona, MN. Although married in Minnesota, he had no feelings for the Vikings.
Jack did not need a war to show his bravery. With his marriage to Julia, he accepted the care and love of her six children.
If this new responsibility didn’t scare him, nothing could or would.
The new family lived in Millston, WI, until 1965, when they moved to Waynesville, MO. While in Missouri, Jack was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood Army Base. He completed leadership academy school with high honors, and he achieved the rank of platoon sergeant.
After 20 years of active duty, Jack retired from the Army in November of 1970.
He worked at the Ft. Leonard Wood Hospital from 1970 to 1972.
In 1972, he and Julia came to the conclusion that it was now time to come home. They moved to Jackson County and made their home in the Town of Adams.
Jack worked for the former Big Chief Truck Stop and Harkner’s Cranberry Marsh from 1972 to 1976. From 1976 until 1992, he worked at the Tomah VA Hospital. While there, he received numerous commendations for his fine work.
He was a pleasant, loving, and kind person. He enjoyed the quiet times he and the love of his life Julia had together. He coveted their pleasant bickering and red lipstick.
He will be sadly missed by all who met and touched his life, even if it was for just a moment. For those of us whose lives he revelled in, there will never be a replacement.
Surviving are his wife Julia; one son, James (Karen) Smothers; two daughters, Rosalene (Steven) Hansen and Sandra (David) Loomis; his honorary granddaughter, Michelle (Missy) Smothers, all of Black River Falls; two brothers, Robert (Bunny)Perkins of Spooner and Richard (Kathy) Perkins, Ft. Co
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