Joseph Perkins

Joseph "Jody" Perkins, 89, of Higbee, MO, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Glasgow Gardens, in Glasgow, MO, surrounded by the love of his family. Jody was a hardworking man, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud Papa whose life was built around family, hard work, and the simple things that mattered most. Born on February 25, 1937, Jody lived a life defined by dedication, loyalty, generosity, and a love for his family that spanned generations.

Jody shared 69 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Louise, and together they had been by each other’s side for more than seven decades. Their life together was filled with memories, family, and a love that stood the test of time. He was a proud father to Anna Mae, Susan, and Mike. He also carried the memory of his infant son, Joseph Jr., who passed away in November 1957, forever holding a place in his heart and in the family’s story.

He was a cherished Papa to PJ, Jason, Julie, Ashley, Tiffany, Amber, Joey, and Amanda. His family continued to grow through his many great-grandchildren, far too numerous to list, each holding a special place in his heart. He also shared a special bond with his beloved dog, Princess.

Jody spent many years working in the concrete business, where hard work was simply part of who he was. He also spent countless years on the farm, caring for animals and baling hay. He understood the value of an honest day’s work and never shied away from getting his hands dirty. Whether working in concrete or tending to the farm, Jody put his heart into what he did. He was a member of Laborers’ Union Local #955.

Jody’s dedication to his community extended beyond his work and into the school he loved. In 1988, he volunteered his time to oversee the construction of the gymnasium addition at Higbee School. Little did he know just how many special memories that gymnasium would hold for his family. In the years that followed, he had the joy of sitting in those stands, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren take the court as proud members of the Higbee Tigers. What began as a labor of love for his community became a place where he could cheer on the generations of his own family. For Jody, that gym was more than a building; it was a place where family, community, and his love for the Tigers came together. There was something special about watching the very children and grandchildren he adored play in a gym he had helped bring to life.

Jody also proudly served on the Thomas Hill Water Department Board, giving his time and dedication to a service that was important to his community. His willingness to serve in this role reflected the same values he carried throughout his life: hard work, responsibility, and a commitment to helping others. Whether he was working with his hands, volunteering at the school, or serving on the board, Jody took pride in doing his part and making a difference in the community he called home.

But beyond his work and community involvement, it was his love for his family that truly defined him. Jody had a special soft spot for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and sometimes his love showed itself in ways that became family stories worth telling for years to come. One such memory was when he bought and kept a pig after his great-grandchild showed it at the county fair so the child wouldn’t have to send it to the butcher shop. That simple act said so much about Papa. His heart was bigger than his words, and when someone he loved needed him, he found a way to make things right. He was willing to take on one more animal and make room on the farm just to spare his great-grandchild the heartbreak of saying goodbye. It was a moment that perfectly captured the kind of man he was and the lengths he would go to for the people he loved.

Jody also had a generous streak that showed up in a way people would never forget. He was known for carrying around $2 bills and taking pride in handing them out to any kid he came across. It was a simple gesture, but that was Papa. He enjoyed making people smile, and he found his own special way of leaving a little something behind to brighten someone’s day. Those lucky enough to receive one will always have a story to tell about the man who thought a $2 bill was a pretty special gift.

Beyond his hard work and generosity, Jody had his own routines and favorite pastimes. He loved keeping up with the news and faithfully watched it every day—unless his great-grandchildren were around. When they came to visit, the news could wait. SpongeBob SquarePants, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and even South Park took priority. For Papa, spending time with his great-grandchildren was worth putting his daily routine aside. Those little moments, filled with laughter and whatever happened to be on television, became part of the memories that made him so special.

Jody was also a devoted fan of the Higbee Tigers basketball teams. He especially loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren take the court. He wasn’t just there to watch the game; he was there to support his family, cheer them on, and share his thoughts afterward. And if you knew Papa, you knew he usually had some solid advice to offer after the final buzzer. His love for the Tigers and the young people wearing the jerseys was about more than basketball. It was about family, pride, and being there for the moments that mattered.

Jody also looked forward to attending the Missouri State Fair and the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, every year. As his health began to decline and he could no longer get out and enjoy these traditions, he missed the opportunity to continue making those special trips. He loved inviting any grandchild who wanted to go along, sharing his love of agriculture and old farm equipment with the younger generations. Nothing made him happier than seeing that same appreciation for farming and its history being passed down to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those trips were about more than the fair or the equipment; they were about sharing something he loved with the people who meant the most to him.

Jody also had a knack for finding a good deal and absolutely loved going to garage sales. He was always on the lookout for something one of his grandchildren or great-grandchildren just had to have. If he found something he thought they would enjoy, he was likely to bring it home for them. Whether it was a stuffed animal, something useful, or simply something he knew would make them smile, Jody found joy in giving to his family. It was just another way he showed how much he cared.

You could also find Jody at just about every charity auction, where he would buy up every single quilt Donald and Mary had made, only to turn around and give them away as gifts. He found joy in supporting others and having something special to pass along to someone he loved. Whether it was a trip to the fair, a stuffed animal he found at a garage sale, or a quilt purchased at an auction, Jody had a way of turning the simplest things into lasting memories and reminders of just how much he cared. His generosity was never about what he could keep for himself, but about what he could give to someone else.

Jody leaves behind a legacy of hard work, loyalty, generosity, and love. He will be remembered in the stories told around the family table, in the lessons passed down, in the laughter shared at basketball games, in the $2 bills that brought smiles to children, and in the countless ways he showed his family and community how much they meant to him.

Though his family will deeply miss his presence, the lessons he taught, the advice he shared, and the love he gave will remain with them always. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the community he served, and the generations who will continue sharing stories about their beloved Papa.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow services at the Higbee City Cemetery, in Higbee, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Higbee School Basketball Program, in honor of Jody’s love for the Higbee Tigers and the generations of young athletes he proudly supported. Higbee R-VIII, 101 Evans Street, Higbee, MO, 65257.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.