Daniel Harris Perkins

Daniel Harris Perkins, master fence builder extraordinaire, (once referred to as the “Michael Angelo of fencing”) left his current location on July 30, 2018 to build closer to family on the other side of Heaven.  Dan was born at home on November 26, 1932 to Willard Mackelprang Perkins and Annie Elizabeth Harris in Cedar City, Utah; he was the ninth of ten children.  Dan had an active childhood helping his father with cattle on the mountain and in the valley.  After local schooling, he decided to join the Air Force and enjoyed nine years in that capacity.  Staff Sergeant Perkins served in the Strategic Air Command as crew chief of plane maintenance for his assigned group; he was nominated as maintenance man of the month for the whole second Air Force for his leadership abilities and accuracy.  Dan was a world traveler as he was stationed in many countries such as North Africa, Japan, England, Greenland, and Turkey.

Following his service, Dan returned to Cedar City where he met and married Marsha Anne Evans.  Initially, he worked for several construction companies which required him to travel.  To stay close to his growing family, he began fencing.   While trying to get his fence company off the ground, he spent a great deal of time doing concrete with his father in-law Harold Evans.  As he balanced both venues, his fencing business took off and lasted 46 years.   They were blessed with a diverse and abundant posterity which includes six children, 23 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren with two more expected to arrive later this year.  Dan also mentored many nieces and nephews who love and adore him for his steadiness and his work ethic.  It could be argued that Dan ran a boardinghouse along with his business as a host of relatives, and friends (even strangers occasionally) would stay the night at “Hotel Perkins.”  It was not unusual for Dan and Marsha to go to bed with the Living room empty only to find it occupied with someone on the couch the next morning.  He was well-known for his excellent taste in Christmas trees which he carefully selected and sold to repeat customers year after year.  Dan desired to keep the home fires burning as one could assess by the size of his wood pile; he knew every tree he took personally.

He retired at 81 years of age, yet he still continued to deliver materials and assist in other ways from time to time as he passed his company to his youngest son where several of his children continue to work in the family business.    Recently, Dan and Marsha celebrated their 53 wedding anniversary, an event that could only be surpassed by two recent Saturday trips to the mountain to increase his already substantial woodpile. 

Dan was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Annie; six brothers and sisters who passed away shortly after birth; three older brothers:  Ward Harris (Norma), Ramon Harris (Mabel “Johnnie”), and Richard Boyd (Betty); nephew Kenneth Ramon Perkins; in-laws Harold and Melba Evans; three brothers in-law:  Francis Evans, David Evans, and Ben Messer; he is survived by their wives-his sisters in-law-Christina Evans, Karen Evans, and Patricia Messer.

Dan is survived by Marsha, his wife of 53 years; his sons Daniel Ramon (Diane) of Enoch, Tyley Harris (Gwen Kay) of Toquerville, and Colt Harris (Amber Renae) of Cedar City; his daughters Jamie Anne Kelsey (Chad) of Minersville, Lacey Brooke Jensen (Brian) of Tropic, and Falicity Autumn Wilkins of Cedar City; his brother in laws Rick Evans (Virginia) and Roger Evans (Sheryl); his grandchildren Cory Sperry (Tabitha), Tiffany Crunk (Shawn), Nicole Williams (Lance), Amy Holt (Jeff), Danni Eaton (Will), Brady Kelsey (Lethe), Jessica Bradshaw (Clancy), Alex Froerer (Megan), Jacob Froerer, Samuel Jensen, Benjamin Jensen, Dustin Huff, Katheryn Shain, Rebecca Shain (Brandon), Karlie Hawkins (Colten), Chloe Perkins, Carter Anne Crites (deceased), Hunter Crites, Reylie Wilkins, Clinton Knox (Jillian), Sarah Beck (Colt), Benjamin Dawe Jr., and Garrian Perkins; great-grandchildren Christian Lambert, Tatum Haney, Brandon Bracken, Shaylee Bracken, Tucker Williams, Dylan Williams, Skylynn Christensen, Sage Holt, Daniel J. Holt (expected), Konrad Eaton, Anders Eaton, Hayden Kelsey, Tanner Kelsey (deceased), Greyson Kelsey, Emmy Kelsey, Jentrie Kelsey, Krimzyn Bradshaw, Demi Bradshaw, Camden Bradshaw, Ryker Hawkins, Knoxx Hawkins, Cutler Johnson, Greyson Johnson, William Bell, Baby Bell (expected), and Colt Beck Jr.

His life will be celebrated Saturday, August 4th at the Rock Church in Cedar City, Utah: 79 E. Center St.  The viewing will be from 9:00-12:00 with the service beginning at 12:30.  The burial will be at the Cedar City Cemetery.