James Donald Perkins, 69, native and longtime resident of St. Augustine, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at his residence. The son of Benjamin and Rachel (Wilson) Perkins, Sr., he was born on Friday, May 5, 1950. James was educated in the St. Johns County School District. On September 2, 1977 James was united in holy matrimony to Patricia Ann (Green) Perkins and they became the proud parents of five children.  James was a very industrious man who tirelessly worked hard. He was definitely not a stranger to multi-tasking and simultaneously working multiple jobs.  James enrolled in truck driver's training school at Roadmaster in Jacksonville and subsequently earned his Commercial Driver's License (CDL).  He was employed as a truck driver for numerous trucking companies for several years.  Over his working career, he was employed by Florida East Coast Railway; VAW Aluminum (Hydro Extrusion North America); the City of St. Augustine; and subsequently retired from Florida Rock (Vulcan Materials Company). James courageously exuded an entrepreneurial spirit through providing painting, maintenance, handyman, and janitorial/cleaning services to an extensive spectrum of clients throughout the tri-county region. He also relocated to New York at the request of his oldest brother, Benjamin Jr., where he was employed in hospitality management. James consistently contributed to the St. Jude and the Southwest Indian Foundation. He was a member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, St Augustine.

Although James was a man of few words, he had an enormous personality. He was a practical jokester who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends who often became the object of his punchline. Following retirement, he pursued his interest in gardening and the pride and joy of his heart was achieved when dropping off and picking up his grandchildren from school. He favorite pastime was watching "Sanford & Son," "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Golden Girls," and "Everybody Loves Raymond." He was an avid football fan and he was an enthusiastic about his New York Giants. James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his son , James Lamont Perkins; sisters , Jeanette Duncan, Rose "Polly" Lyons; brothers , Benjamin Perkins Jr., Russell Perkins, and Ronnie Perkins.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories; a devoted and loving wife of 42 years , Patricia Ann Perkins; Son , Benjamin Perkins; Daughters , Lavender Perkins, Pansy Perkins, Jennifer Perkins, Jaime Perkins, Jamessa Perkins, Jakila (Vernon) Ramsey; Brothers , Charles Perkins, Bruce (Tammy) Perkins, Clarence Perkins; Sisters, Diane White, Evelyn Owens, Deborah (Vincent) Mitchell; 10 Grandchildren, Phylicia, Brionna, Aja, Micah, J'hari-Sun, Eligere, Jewel, Andre, Jayce, and Stephanie; a host of nieces and nephews, especially devoted niece, Kayla Julian and her son (great-nephew) Tayden Jones; numerous in-laws, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 31, and Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 1, at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 96 Evergreen Avenue, St. Augustine, Reverend J.M. Sams, Pastor, officiating.