Robert Paul Perkins

Robert Paul Perkins ~ September 22, 1981 – July 4, 2024

Robert Paul Perkins, 42 of Peoria, Ariz., drown while swimming in the Reef area at Puerto Penasco, Mexico; July 4. Robert was born September 22, 1981, at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

Robert is preceded in death by his sister Donna G. Perkins and his adopted parents Janice M. and Paul L. Perkins.

Robert grew up in St. David, Ariz., and attended Benson Unified School participating in football, wrestling, and baseball. Most beloved to him was baseball. Following his graduation, he was selected to represent Arizona in the USA Australia GSI (Global Sports Institute) in 2000 touring in Sydney, Toowoomba, Coral Reef, Australia; and Hawaii.

Robert worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) October 2002 – November 2006 immediately after TSA he joined ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He was a Deportation Officer from September 2015-February 2023. During that time, he traveled to Central America including Guatemala and Honduras; Frankfurt Germany, and Nepal in South Asia. May 2016, Robert received the interagency award for exceptional teamwork and cooperation in accomplishing significant initiatives in furtherance of the ICE mission. In February 2023, he was assigned as a Detention and Deportation Officer for the Juvenile and Family Management Division to the present time. All assignments were based in Phoenix.

Before every quarterly qualification at the shooting range, Robert would stop at McDonalds and get two sausage McMuffins and black coffee. He said if he did not do that he would not qualify at the range for work.

Robert was a dedicated father and family man. His family was the center of his universe. When his kids began participating in sports, he would take them to the park every day to practice. He never missed a single game or meet and was their biggest fan whether they won or lost. Any time he traveled for work, he always brought home souvenirs for the kids. He loved to cook and birthdays were a big deal so he would make each one a special dinner on their special day. They enjoyed camping, riding in their side-by-side UTV, spending time together at the beach, watching the Arizona Cardinals play football or just being together at home. Robert loved to sing and would sing along to his favorite country music. It didn’t matter whether he was on key, he just enjoyed it. When his

daughter Ava was first learning to speak, he taught her to say George Strait. He loved wearing his cowboy hat and boots even with his basketball shorts whether it was at home or out running errands.

He is survived by his wife Sonia; children Peyton, Ila, Ava, Anisah Perkins, Melissa Duarte, and Gabriel Lopez, Peoria, Ariz.; brother Jeffrey (Doni) Perkins, Oklahoma City, Okla., Scott (Sheila) Perkins, St. David, Ariz.; nieces Brandy (Grayson) Fischer, Bisbee, Ariz.; Brianne Grant, Globe, Ariz.; Kacey and Emma Perkins, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Beth (Christopher) Hamilton, Benson, Ariz.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Robert was the true meaning of kindness and compassion. He cared deeply about his family and friends and was a well-rounded loveable/likeable human-being. He brought joy to those who knew him, had a heartfelt giggle of a laugh, loved his country and had profound respect and admiration for all military and law enforcement branches, and was a committed public servant.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Paul Perkins, please visit our floral store.