INTEL BEACH, Fla. — Rance Howard Perkins,
(Aka Ranger, Papa), born on October 14, 1938, in Manila, Ark., passed away unexpectedly October 9, 2021, from a massive heart attack while sitting in his chair watching the Razorbacks play Ole Miss with his adored wife Martha (Gran) in their new home in Inlet Beach, Florida. Rance and Martha with daughter Jennifer had recently moved from Little Rock, Ark., to Inlet Beach to be close to daughter Charlotte and their adored grandchildren Sydney, Alex, and Ely. Papa was the greatest son, husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend to us all for his 82 years.
With no significant downtime or deterioration during his life, his sudden passing is devastating to his adoring family, as we hold closely to Papa’s infectious spirit. His purpose in life was undoubtedly to love and cherish Martha, their marriage of 62 years admired by all as the gold standard of what a relationship is supposed to look like. In true Arkansas fashion, Rance and Martha met when Martha was 12, started dating at 14 and married at 17 and were inseparable in life for the next 60 years. Martha and Rance worked together every day, drove to work together, set across from each other in their work stations, usually had lunch each day together and always had dinner together each evening. After Rance’s retirement, he would describe himself as a “go get her”, as he would take Martha to and go get her from work and bring her home. Their hobbies were mutual with each other but their family was their primary focus. They set an amazing example to their beloved daughters and grandchildren.
After graduation from ASU, Rance worked in the family farm business in Southeast, Mo., before moving Martha, and teenage daughters Jennifer and Charlotte to Little Rock to work selling real estate and later in the financial services business and later working with his sonin-law Scotty at Excel Energy Group. Rance was never shy from a new adventure, but his love for family and friends, and his willingness to sacrifice all else for others made him everyone’s favorite and won our admiration.
Perhaps Rance’s greatest gift was his unconditional love of family and friends. Prior to the move to Fla., Gran and Papa lived for 20 years on the same property with their children and grandchildren. He drove the grandkids to school most every day and attended all their functions. Papa shared a kindred spirit with each of them. He would rarely say no to youngest grandson Ely’s request for “do we have time Papa to stop for a “donuck”, he wouldn’t miss grandsons Ely or Alex’s athletic games starting at 4-year old soccer throughout high school football, basketball, and soccer games, nor would he dare miss granddaughter Sydney’s soccer or volleyball games from preschool through high school. He had the rare ability to make each of us always feel better about ourselves after every conversation. A great man!
Papa was so proud of his daughters, Jennifer and Charlotte, each of whom embodied his wonderful spirit. After retiring from Dentistry and teaching at UALR, Jennifer lived with them bringing great joy to Martha and Rance. Charlotte, cut from the same cloth as Martha, both strong in personality, beautiful and high achieving women. Martha and Charlotte made Rance so proud and were a beautiful compliment to a happy go lucky guy who had nothing but a great day everyday!
Rance is survived by wife, Martha, daughters, Jennifer and Charlotte (Scotty), granddaughter, Sydney Caroom, grandsons, Alex Caroom (Janie) and Ely Caroom.
In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests donations to: Highland Valley Methodist Church, 15524 Chenal Parkway, LR, AR., 72211. We will have celebration of Papa’s life from noon to 1 p.m., on Monday, October 18, 2021, at Highland Valley Methodist Church. To sign the online guest book, please visit: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal