John William Perkins, 63, died Wednesday (Oct. 5, 2005) at the Bryan LGH Hospital East in Lincoln.

He was born Aug. 8, 1941, in McCook to George W. and Eleanor M. (Hassler) Perkins. He graduated from McCook High School in 1959. He graduated from the American Culinary Institute in New Haven, Conn., in 1962.

He married Carol Bonar on June 3, 1961, in McCook. The couple returned to McCook following his graduation. The couple moved to Hastings in 1964, where he was a chef at Ivanhoe's Restaurant.

He moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1969, and began working at the Union Plaza Casino before becoming assistant executive chef for Caeser's Palace.

He was a member of the Fraternity of Executive Chefs.

Survivors include two daughters, Kirsten Perkins and fiance, Miles Vasko and Michelle Bagy, all of Lincoln; one son, Michael Perkins and wife, Kim of Las Vegas; one brother, Thomas Perkins and wife, JoAnn of Omaha; two sisters, Roberta Krauss of Lakewood, Colo., and Frances Buczek and husband, Tom of Belle Fourche, S.D.; five grandchildren; and relatives and friends.

Services were today at Herrmann Memorial Chapel in McCook.

Memorials are being accepted in his name and friends may call at Herrmann Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.