In Memory Of Jacob N. Perkins

Jake was born August 4, 1969 and died last night, February 5, 2007 of a massive coronary at the age of 37. He was my nephew. The heart attack was unexpected, and came after a bout of the flu. He had a kidney transplant last Memorial Day, the hope being that he would have the use of one kidney for the rest of his life.

During his life, Jake played defensive tackle for the Poolsville High School varsity, was the School President, and an honors student. He went on to attend Virginia Tech where he double majored in Political Science and History. As an intern for his Junior Year, he worked for Senator Warner in the Senate of the United States. He returned to school, and was elected the School President.

He attended and graduated the University of Maryland for Law School, and was admitted top the Maryland and Virginia Bar Associations. After several years of Personal Injury work, he went off on his own and set up a Real Estate Practice.

Jake was also the coach of the girls basketball team at Poolsville High School, and the current President of the Poolsville Chamber of Commerce. We will be burying him on Thursday. The family will be in mourning from Thursday through Wednesday of next week.

Judy and I were very close to him. We were with his mother, Judy's sister in the hospital tonight, sitting with him. It was hard to comprehend that he was dead even as we were in there with him. We did it to get some closure, and I'm glad we did. On the other hand, mothers and aunts & uncles aren't supposed to bury children. I'm going to stop now, because I think I'm getting a little squirrelly, if that's a word.