Sumner Ellis Perkins
b. 24 August 1908, d. 1 June 2004
- Sumner Ellis Perkins was born on 24 August 1908 in Yakima County, Washington.
- He married Ethelwyn Harmson, daughter of John William Harmson and Dorothea Maier.
- Sumner Ellis Perkins and Ethelwyn Harmson appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, at 1706 Hadley Street. Also in the household were children Gloria R. (age 5) and John E. & Arthur T. (both age 1). In 1935 the family was living in Antioch, Contra Costa County.
- He was employed as a mechanical engineer by a refrigerator manufacturer, according to the 1940 census.
- Sumner Ellis Perkins became a widower at the 22 March 2001 death of his wife Ethelwyn Harmson.
- Sumner Ellis Perkins died on 1 June 2004 at age 95 in Lynwood, Snohomish County, Washington.
- He was interred at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Sacramento, California.
- The following appeared on 5 June 2004 in the Contra Costa Times: Sumner Ellis Perkins, age 95, was born in Yakima, Washington on August 24, 1908 and passed away peacefully on June 1, 2004 in Lynnwood, Washington, where he resided his final years. Much of Sumner's early life was spent on the road, sometimes by wagon, with his mother and civil engineer father, who traveled extensively in the West building earthen dams and roads to support growing agricultural activity. An engineer himself, Sumner witnessed and participated in the great technological transitions of the twentieth century, from covered wagon to moon landing. A conscientious father, he was active in the Boy Scout movement. A longtime resident of Walnut Creek, Sumner is survived by three generations, including his loving children, Gloria Priebe, Jon (Carla) Perkins, and Arthur (Carolyn) Perkins, grandchildren, Lynette (Eric) Steffansson, Laurene (Craig) Johnson, Jill (Jason) Dunham, Mark (Cheryl) Perkins, Cheryl (Steve) Snow, Kellie (Spenser) Mick, and six great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, June 3, 2004 at Beck's Funeral Home, Edmonds, Washington. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.
- Last Edited: 4 Jan 2014