Obituary for Alvin P. Perkinson

Alvin P. “Bun” Perkinson, went to be with the Lord on August 25 after a brief illness.  He left behind a life of service to his family, his friends, nonprofits, and a long list of colleges and universities. 

A 1953 graduate of McCallie School and a 1957 graduate of Davidson College, Mr. Perkinson’s roots run deep in the South.  After a multi-year career in real estate development in the 1960s in Charlotte, Mr. Perkinson moved into fundraising, taking leadership positions at Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) and Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi before becoming President of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina.  He served the college for thirteen years, overcoming considerable challenges and leading the school to prominence regionally and nationally.  Even after leaving the school in 1987, Mr. Perkinson maintained a deep love of St. Andrew’s, a profound appreciation for his time there, and a keen interest in the future of the college.  He drew on those experiences during his subsequent 30+ year career consulting and serving nonprofits, colleges, universities, and businesses across the country that included Saint Joseph’s College (ME), Emory & Henry College (VA), Ferrum College (VA), Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills, and the Given Memorial Library & Tufts Archives.

Mr. Perkinson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ellen Forester Perkinson, his four sons, Al, Ken, John, and David, their wives, his eleven grandchildren—Page, Dylan, Reid, Althea, Esme, Josh, Zack, Michael, Christopher, Jacob, and Austin—and his two great-grandchildren, Ava and Luke. He is also survived by his sister, Mrs. Judy Gann of Huntsville, Alabama and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Barbara Forester of Charlotte.

A memorial service will be held at Brownson Memorial Church in Southern Pines, NC at 2 pm on September 12.  Only family will attend, but livestreaming will be available.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s University, 1700 Dogwood Mile, Laurinburg, NC 28352 or Brownson Memorial Church, 330 South May Street, Southern Pines, NC 28387.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

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