1925
2010
The Legacy of BM1 Macray Perkins USN RET.
Macray Perkins was born September 21, 1925 in Cleburne, Texas to Sam and Beulah Perkins. Born Mac Ray Perkins, the Navy had combined his first and middle names to Macray. His four siblings were Juanita, Alyce, Raymond and Sammie. His father was a farmer and his mother was a schoolteacher. His mother Beulah passed away when Macray was 9 years old and his youngest sister Sammie was 18 months old. Sam Perkins had a big family and a farm to work. In those days, the children were usually split up between relatives. Sam wanted the children to stay together so they could watch out for each other. Sam decided to send them to Boles' Childrens home, sponsored by the Church of Christ in Quinlin, Texas, as Sam could visit them all and support them there. Macray's sisters worked in the kitchen, and Macray and Raymond worked with the caretaker, cutting wood, farming and growing food for the home. At that time, Macray learned to hunt and fish from the caretaker to help feed the children at the home. While at the home, all the children were taken down to a lake and were Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. A year or two after they were in the home, Sam Perkins passed away. Another hardship for the family was when Macray's brother Raymond also passed away. When Macray turned 17 in 1941, he saw his chance to leave the home and join the Navy to see the world.
Macray served his country during World War II in the South Pacific, as a Boatswain's Mate. He piloted landing crafts in many operations and battles. He finished up the war in Guam. After the war, Macray needed some peace and quiet so he went back to Texas to do some hunting and fishing, as he did at the Boles' home. He visited friends. After 2 years with no great job prospects available, Macray reenlisted in the Navy. Macray was now a "lifer" in the Navy. He was sent to serve in the Korean War.
Macray was stationed in Japan, on several ships in and out of port. In 1956, he met his true love, Yoko Inage, a hairdresser, through friends. They were married in Japan April 2, 1958. Their first daughter, Alice Yoko, was born on February 8, 1959 in Yokosuka, Japan.
Macray and his family returned to San Diego, California, where he was stationed at North Island Naval Air station. Macray and Yoko's second daughter was born on December 18, 1961. Macray was out to sea and came back to meet his six-month-old beautiful baby daughter, Beulah. Shortly thereafter, Macray was sent out to sea to help straighten out the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1963, Macray and his family were transferred to Concord, California. In 1967, Macray & his family were stationed in Yokosuka, Japan for a nice four-year family reunion while Macray was serving in the Vietnam War. At that time, Macray taught his daughters how to bake pies. Macray learned how to bake from his sister Juanita (Nita) when they lived in the Boles' home.
In 1971 President Nixon had Macray and many other servicemen and women retire early. Yoko decided the family would be going to live in San Diego. Macray retired June 30, 1971 with 28 years in the Navy. It was a sad day for Macray...he loved serving in the Navy and he loved his country. Macray and Yoko bought a house in the South Bay of San Diego, without a job! A fellow shipmate, Bill White, got him a job at Fedco Stores. He was a Warehouseman and Teamster for 15 years. In San Diego he was able to hunt and fish. His favorite place to fish was in Ensenada, Mexico. Macray and his Beagles hunted rabbits on Otay Mesa, and he finally got a deer with his friend, Denny Schrader.
He was a longtime member of the Fleet Reserve Association, and a lifetime member of the Fiesta View VFW Post.
Macray was able to watch his daughters get married. Alice married Scott Lewis in 1988. Beulah married Carlos Corona in 1989. In 1996, Macray became "Papa" when Scott and Alice gave him his grandson, Timothy John.
On August 15, 2010 (Victory in Japan Day), Macray passed away in his sleep.
You were a great Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend.
He will be missed.
He loved his wife, his family, his dogs and his Dallas Cowboys.
Arrangements under the direction of Greenwood Mortuary, San Diego, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
November 17, 2010
Roger Frazier
Grief can be so hard during the holidays, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one this holiday season.
November 15, 2010
Dennis Joyce
Sorry for you loss my,my prayers for the family.Just another shipmate D.Joyce Bm3 USS VESUVIUS AE15 1968-1970. God Bless you all.
September 21, 2010
Alice Lewis
Happy 85th Birthday Dad! We sure miss you!
Love,
Scott, Alice , Timmy & Yoko
August 31, 2010
Sam Khasim
Mac thank you for crossing my path. I am a better man for knowing you. Peace Brother . . . .
August 24, 2010
Margaret Fudge
August 24, 2010
Margaret Fudge
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
August 24, 2010
The Perkins and Lewis family,my prayer go out to you all and hope that in this time of sorrow and grief you all find the comfort and love in eachother...The video was wonderful and you can see all the love that your family was blessed with...Sandy Johnson(St.Louis,Mo.)
August 24, 2010
Richard Travers
The Perkins Family and the Lewis Family...
May the Lord hold you ever so close during this time of grief.
Sincerely,
The Travers Family
August 24, 2010
Vicki Harley
I'm so sorry for your loss. What wonderful pictures! Such a handsome man and such a lovely family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
August 20, 2010
Silvia Macedo
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