Obituary: Charles Perkins

Charles Perkins, 91, of Longboat Key, died July 3.

Born July 21, 1921, in Williamsburg, Ky., he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned a master’s degree in education at Appalachian State University.

Mr. Perkins was a self-taught musician who began his career in education as a music teacher at Sarasota Junior High School. As principal of Booker Elementary School in the early 1970s, he advocated the adoption of the Schools Without Failure initiative developed by California psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser that advocated for teaching children they are responsible for their own conduct and progress.

After the successful implementation of the program in Sarasota, Glasser chose Mr. Perkins to teach a workshop course to British teachers in London.

Mr. Perkins is remembered as a strong advocate of racial equality who brought people of different races together during a divisive time. He retired as Booker Elementary School principal in 1981.

Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his son, Marquise.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey; son, John Perkins, of Pontiac, Mich.; daughters Cindy Perkins, of Sarasota, and Carol Perkins Rawle, of Charleston, S.C.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be announced at a later date.