Obituary: David Layne Perkins – Former UL Architecture Faculty Member 1954-57 – February 7, 2014

 David Layne Perkins
(March 3, 1925 – February 7, 2014)

David L. Perkins, FAIA, long-time resident of Lafayette, died of cancer on February 7, 2014 at his home at the age of 88. He was born in Picayune, MS on March 3, 1925, grew up in Gulfport, MS. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1943 becoming a pilot in 1944. Honorably discharged in 1947, entered Tulane University School of Architecture in 1948. Was a member of the LA Air National Guard 1949-1957, 122nd Bomb Squadron, served on active duty during the Korean War at Langley AFB 1951-52 and graduated from Tulane in 1954. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Emmett Perkins and Henrietta Browne Perkins of Mt. Hermon/Franklinton, LA. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edna Rice Perkins; sons, D. Layne Perkins, Jr. of Birmingham, AL and R. Scott Perkins and his wife Elaine of Atlanta, GA; brother, Richard Emmet Perkins, DVM (Ret.) of Abbeville; grandchildren, Lauryn Michele Perkins Thompson of Birmingham, and Sean David Perkins of Atlanta, great grandson, Nikola Thompson and nieces, Beth Perkins Jordan of Houston, TX and Dr. Martha Perkins Briley, DVM, Lake Charles, LA and nephew, Robert King Perkins of Abbeville. Dave married in January 1954, moved to Lafayette in August, and was Associate Professor of Architecture at S.L.I. to begin the architectural department as a feeder program to Tulane. He resigned in January 1957 and opened his architectural practice, retiring in 2009 after his firm’s considerable advancing of Lafayette’s landscape. He was a founding member and first President of the South Louisiana Chapter of the AIA in 1963, first Vice President of the Louisiana Architects Association in 1964 and President in 1965, member of the AIA Student Affairs Committee from 1966-70, the AIA Practice Commission in 1976-77 and the AIA Energy Committee from 1976-78. He received his AIA Fellowship in 1970 for service to the profession, was the AIA Gulf States Regional Director from 1976-78, served on the National Architectural Accrediting Board from 1979-82, becoming President in 1982. He also received the South Louisiana Chapter AIA Leadership Award in 1982, and Distinguished Alumni, Tulane University School of Architecture in 1986. He received the USL Architecture Students’ Service Award for Professionals in 1990, the first award given, received the Diocese of Lafayette’s Bishop’s Charity Ball Service Recognition in 1991, and the Community Service Award of American Legion Post 69 in 2006. Additionally, he was Assistant Scout Leader of BSA Troop 258 from 1966-79. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon and Elder, presently serving on the Property Committee; member of the American Legion Post 69 and Advisory Board of the Salvation Army for many years. Funeral services will be at the First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, with burial immediately following at Fountain Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers of Hospice of Acadiana and Dr. Morris Hoffpauir for their bountiful care and compassion. Pallbearers will be Don Breaux, Bob Barras, Mark Lalande, Jim Ziler, Robert Rice, Brian Ducharme and Charles Beazley. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Branch, D. D. Hebert and Tom Angers. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street Lafayette, 70506. and First Presbyterian Church, 1130 Johnston St. Lafayette, 70501. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery of Lafayette, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.