M. Delos Perkins

Maurice DeLos Perkins, 68, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016, following several years of a deteriorating muscle disease. He was born on April 18, 1947, the fourth of eight children, to Maurice J and Klea Call Perkins in Soda Springs, Idaho. As a young boy, he raised his own little herd of sheep, bucked hay by hand, milked cows, and worked hard on the family farm in Chesterfield, Idaho. He graduated from North Gem High School in 1965 and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alaska and Canada.

DeLos studied political science at Brigham Young University where he met his sweetheart, Julie Ann Tate. They married in May of 1972 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple, shortly after his graduation from BYU. He served in the U.S. Navy for a short time before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps and returned to the family farm. During the 13 years spent farming, DeLos served several years on the North Gem School Board and returned to school at Idaho State University to get his teaching certificate in secondary education. Along with running the farm he taught government and science in Grace, Idaho for three years and realized his love for teaching. DeLos then moved his family to Mesquite, Nevada, where he continued to teach for nine more years. He obtained a Master’s Degree in education from UNLV and became the dean, assistant principal, and then the principal at Virgin Valley High School until retiring in 2008. Teaching and coaching the young people of Virgin Valley was greatly rewarding for him. Before physical ailments slowed his game, DeLos played basketball at every opportunity--on school, military, church, and community teams, and he later coached various basketball teams when his own children played.

DeLos always said his greatest treasure in life were his nine children. He taught them the value of education and hard work and was proud to see them graduate from college, receive advanced degrees, and go on to find success in their own careers and families. DeLos faithfully magnified his many church callings, especially those that involved teaching. He served for many years as a beloved Bishop in Mesquite where he was able to bless and serve the community. He loved missionary work and shared the gospel with whomever he met. He passed on that same dedication to his children, inspiring eight of them to serve full-time missions for the Church. His love of teaching and of the gospel will carry on as he has now accepted his next mission call.

DeLos was generous, honest, and wise with a witty sense of humor and a melodic tenor singing voice. His strong work ethic drove him to give his all in every aspect of his life. until the very end.

He is survived by his loving wife, Julie, of Mesquite, and his nine children: Shaulee (Bret) Curtis of Benson, AZ, Stacie (David) Palmer of Montclair, VA, Maurie (Christy) Perkins of Bunkerville, NV, Cori (Chris) Morris of Highlands Ranch, CO, Bryson (Jamie) Perkins of Colorado Springs, CO, Cami Perkins of Henderson, NV, Ryan (Linda) Perkins of Dublin, OH, Daylen (Ashley) Perkins of Tooele, UT, and Bradley (Keriann) Perkins of Orem, UT, and 32 grandchildren, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Mesquite Stake Center,100 N. Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite. Visitation will be Thursday, January 7 from 6 - 8 pm and again on Friday morning from 9:30 -10:30 a.m., both at the Stake Center. A second funeral service will be held in Chesterfield, Idaho, on Monday, January 11, 2016 at the Chesterfield LDS Chapel, Chesterfield, Idaho at 11:00 a.m. with a Visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow in the Chesterfield Cemetery.