On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Joe Dan Perkins passed away after a long hospital stay. He was born January 18, 1958, in Athens, Texas, to parents Marlin Perkins and Georgina Thompson Perkins. He was the fifth of seven children, including six brothers and one sister.

He attended school in Athens and graduated in 1977. In high school he participated in sports, excelling in football and baseball. One of his favorite high school memories was him kicking a game winning field goal against rival team Ennis. The ending score was Athens 3, Ennis 0, which upset Ennis's unbeaten record for the season.

After graduating, Joe worked in construction and attended Henderson County Junior College. He then began working in the roof truss business and after twelve years, changed jobs and became employed by Solar Turbines. Twenty years later, he retired.

Joe leaves behind his wife of forty years, Lisa Atherton Perkins, one daughter, Emily Perkins Petty and son- in-law Wade Petty, and one grandson, James "Dylan" Petty (JDP), all of Mabank. Also left is sister Darlene Perkins of Cross Roads, Wayne Perkins of Athens, brother-in-law Layne Atherton and wife Gina of Mabank, and seven nephews, Doug Perkins, Erik Perkins, Justin Perkins, Zak Perkins, John Perkins, Bo Atherton, and Caleb Atherton, along with several great nieces and great nephews, and cousins. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Johnny, Marlin, Bobby, and Randy Perkins.

The family will receive on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank.