PERKINS, Raphael Hight

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, September 05, 2013 Raphael Hight Perkins was a great husband, father and friend. He was called home to be with his family and friends who have gone before him on Sept. 2, 2013, at the age of 80. Raphael was preceded in death by his mother Oma, father L.C. (Jack), sister Billie, and brothers James, Dale, Pete. Raphael is survived by Rosamae, his loving wife of 55 years. They were married in Phoenix, Ariz., on Feb. 22, 1958 and honeymooned in Bagdad for 55 years. Raphael is lovingly remembered by his wife Rosamae of Bagdad; children Chris (Tammy), Colleen and Camille (Gavin); grandchildren Amber (JP), Calissa (Joey), Alycia, Jeremy (Erin), Duncan (Sarah), Brooks, Audie, Heber (Carrie), Mallory (Mark) and Aaron (Jannae); 20 great-grandchildren; brothers Jerry (Glenna), Joel Dean (Mary) and Howard (Linda); many nieces, nephews and Merkeyta. To his great-grandchildren he was affectionately known as Grandpa Great or his favorite "Great One." Raphael was born in Osceola, Texas, on April 19, 1933. He served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 as an aviation machinist mate. He was a longtime member and chief of the Bagdad Volunteer Fire Department. He went to work for Bagdad Copper Corp. in 1958 as a tireman and soon after advanced to heavy equipment mechanic, retiring as a general foreman from Cyprus Bagdad after 35 years in the truck shop. Raphael enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking, but most of all spending time with his family and friends. His favorite day was sitting on the deck with family and friends enjoying a potluck meal with his favorite cheap beer, swapping lies and stories with a good cigar. A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave., Prescott, Ariz. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at the Hilltop Community Church, 1 Hilltop Drive, Bagdad, Ariz., with a potluck gathering at the Bagdad Community Campus, 700 Palo Verde, in the Bozarth room following the service. A family interment will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2013 at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's research at alz.org, alzfdn.org, ahaf.org or curealzfund.org. Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Raphael's online guestbook. Service entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.