He graduated from Oklahoma State University and was a supervising partner for Sonic Restaurants in the Panama City/Fort Walton area. Richard was an entrepreneur and had been in the restaurant business all of his life. He successfully built and operated 17 franchise restaurants for Ken's Pizza in the Midwest. He developed the Perky's Pizza chain in the Tampa/Sarasota area. He owned and operated seven travel agencies in Missouri. He had been a resident of Florida for 15 years moving to Florida from Joplin, Mo.

He was a member of the Forest Park United Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary International. Richard is survived by his wife, Marsha Perkins; three daughters: Robin Perkins of Sarasota, Fla., Adrianne Perkins of Atlanta, Ga., Michele Fultz and husband, Tracy of Sarasota; two sons: Madison Perkins of Joplin, Mo., Jeffrey Fadely and wife April of Panama City; parents, David and Wanda Perkins of Bartlesville, Okla.; sister, Nancy Russell and husband, Jim of Sherman, Texas; brother, Donald Perkins and wife, Nan of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren: Rachael Perkins, Britnie and Travis Fultz, Payton Fadely and Paige Fadely; two nieces and nephews: Sarah and Paul Russell, Libby and David Perkins.