Larry Perkins

Larry Perkins, 91 of Cherokee Oklahoma passed peacefully with his son, Scott Perkins and son in law Joe Vargyas by his side March 14, 2026 at their home in Spring Tx.

The Celebration of Larry’s life will be held Friday at 11:00am April 10, 2026 at The United Methodist Church, Cherokee Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Jet Oklahoma.

Larry Perkins was born in Alva, Oklahoma June 14, 1934, on flag day, to Clarence and Grace Perkins. He graduated from Cherokee High School in 1953. Larry served in the United States Air Force after high school and was honorably discharged. While in the military he was stationed in Fairbanks Alaska where he served as a professional photographer for the Air Force. He took amazing photographs of the Alaskan frontier.

Upon discharge from the Air Force, Larry returned to Cherokee, Oklahoma and married RuthAnn Tucker on September 21, 1956. They were married for 60 years at the time of RuthAnn’s death. They had one son, Scott Tucker Perkins.

Larry owned OTASCO hardware store for many years. He also served as Hospital administrator for the Alfalfa County Hospital. His last endeavor was to own McDowell electric providing heating and air conditioning for NW Oklahoma residents.

Larry was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cherokee as well as an interest in the Catholic Church. Larry enjoyed traveling to Mexico and Santa Fe New Mexico where he enjoyed shopping for furniture and Native American art and jewelry. He and RuthAnn were avid Southwest and western art collectors. He was especially fond of Native American jewelry, Pottery and artwork.

Larry loved his Oklahoma Sooners and was a 51 year season football ticket holder. He and his family and friends traveled to all home games, away games while attending the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Alamo Bowl cheering on his Sooners. He threw a helluva tailgate party in Norman, Oklahoma during the fall and was the first person to answer “BOOMER” with a resounding “SOONER”.

Larry loved his fur babies, most recently Liza Rose. RuthAnn made him promise upon her death he would love another Schnauzer if the timing was right. He and Liza Rose were inseparable till the end. She layed with him as he passed and wouldn’t leave his side, even after death. Too many Schnauzers to count, but he loved them all.

Larry is survived by his son, Scott Tucker Perkins and son in law, Joe Vargyas of Spring Texas. His sister in law Wanda Campbell of Jet, Oklahoma. Two brothers, nieces and nephews and their family, as well as his OU tailgate family. He claimed Deanna Woodard as the daughter he never had and loved her and her family dearly. He is also survived by Brandon and Tyffani Johnson who came into his life late but made an enormous impact with their friendship and getting him to and from the OU games.

He was preceded in death by his wife, RuthAnn, his parents, Clarence and Grace Perkins. His sister June Hollers. Brothers and sister in law Don Campbell, Dan Bruner and his wife Clydene. Candace Cambell, his niece.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Larry and RuthAnn Perkins scholarship fund at Gateway Bank in Cherokee.

The family wishes to thank family and friends who were always a source of strength, comfort and enjoyment and were active parts of Larry’s life. If you are so inclined, please wear Crimson in his honor.

And when I die, I’ll be a Sooner dead, rah Oklahoma, rah Oklahoma, rah Oklahoma, OKU!