Audie Randall Perkins left us September 3, 2012 to join his bride of 54 years and his first-born infant son.

He was born November 21, 1926 in Trousdale, Oklahoma, delivered by his father during a blizzard.

Audie, or "Randall" as he was known to his family, was the third of five sons {and three daughters /stepdaughters} of Audie Wade Perkins and Nettie Lee Suggs.

He graduated 8th grade from the Trousdale School in 1941. At 14, he moved to Bovina, Texas to work in the cotton gins. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, and began a long and honorable career in service to his country. After completing basic training in San Diego, Audie trained as a Navy sonar man. He was on the west coast during WWII, including a short billet aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. After re-enlistment in 1946, he attended a series of Navy schools and became an Aviation Electronics Specialist. Audie specialized in anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and most of his duty stations were with ASW squadrons. San Diego, Corpus Christi, and the Philippine Islands were frequent duty stations.

Audie married the love of his life, Claire Kenney of Brooklyn, New York, on March 18, 1956, in a blizzard.

Stationed in Bermuda, Audie met Claire when she had a port call while on a cruise. Suddenly ordered to go to Korea, they were quickly married and had a short few weeks to honeymoon while driving cross-country. With Claire back in Brooklyn, and while in Korea, Audie was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, to which he was fervently devoted.

Their first child Brian was born and died in Norman, Oklahoma in 1958.

Philip was born in Memphis, Tennessee and Patricia at Sangley Point NAS in the Philippines.

After his retirement as a Master Chief Petty Officer, the Perkins family settled in Oklahoma City, where Audie earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering from OSU-OKC. He then began a second career at Mercy Hospital, where he assisted with the opening of the new building on Memorial Road in 1974. After retiring again, he pioneered the stay-at-home dad role, where he ran the household, served as homeroom parent, and created an extensive backyard garden.

Claire returned to work as a registered nurse.

Audie became a "rock hound", cutting stones and polishing gemstones, making jewelry for family and friends, and sharing beautiful stones with all he met.

He and Claire continued to travel until her illness required them to remain home. He was also a passionate genealogist, researching the family heritage and discovering multitudes of cousins across the United States.

He became a grandfather at age 70. His seven grandchildren were his greatest delight.

Audie is survived by his son Philip and his wife Lyles of Los Angeles; along with their children Alan, Brian, Eddie and Neal; by his daughter Patricia Perkins Kuper and her husband Stephen of Edmond; and their children Claire, Cecelia and John. Audie is also survived by his siblings Melba, Richard {Lillie Mae}, Murry {Elaine}, Inez {Lloyd}, and Urschel {Iva}.

He is loved and will be missed by scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives across the country.

He was predeceased by his wife Claire, in May of 2011. He will join his parents, his son Brian, siblings Mildred, Bill and Cassey, and Claire's sisters Genevieve and Eileen, whom he loved as his own. His place in heaven and the reunion with his beloved Claire are the joys that counter the great sorrow we feel at his passing.

Audie's family would like to thank the staff at St. Ann's Independent Living Center, the wonderful caregivers from Ultimate One Home Health Care, and Mercy Hospice, for their compassionate assistance and loving attention.

The wake will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday evening, September 6, at St. Ann's {7501 W. Britton Road, OKC, {405} 721-0747}.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 7, at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 2001 N. Western Avenue, Edmond {405} 359-2700.

Full Military Honors will be rendered at Audie's graveside service at 2:30 pm Friday at Wanette Cemetery in southern Pottawatomie county, NOT in a blizzard.