Norvelle "Gene" Perkins, 89, of Greenwood, IN, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who will be dearly missed. Gene touched the lives of many with his profound sense of humor, warmth, creativity, and outgoing nature. He possessed a quick wit and an uncanny ability to connect with just about anyone.

Gene was born in Richmond, KY, on March 13, 1936, to the late Lillian Hazel and Rev. Elijah Thornton Perkins. As a 1954 graduate of Southport High School, Gene went on to receive a B.S. in History in 1959 from the University of Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Central College), where he later served on the Board of Trustees. After teaching history and government at his alma mater of SHS for three years, Gene founded N. G. Perkins Co. Inc as a custom homebuilder and developer, which he owned and operated until his passing. Gene built several hundred custom homes on the Indianapolis Southside as well as throughout Johnson County resulting in him being listed in Who's Who of American Builders.  He loved helping to create plans for a home and then seeing them "come to life," as he would say.

Gene's interests and hobbies included designing houses, attending IU football and basketball games, restoring vintage cars, and judging classic cars. Gene was considered to be one of the foremost authorities on Packards, an honor that was bestowed upon him throughout the years by the members of the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA). Gene served as the Regional Director as well as the National President of the CCCA and was on the Board of Directors of the CCCA Museum. He was also on the Board of Trustees for both the Indianapolis 500 Museum and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. In 2003, Gene was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, which is the highest award given by the CCCA. Gene was a Master Judge who actively served at numerous prestigious car shows each year, most notably the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for the past 25 years. Since he first began collecting cars at the age of 14, Gene had owned over 100 classic cars, mostly Packards. He also possessed a few Duesenbergs, as well as several other marques, of which he was quite knowledgeable.

Gene is survived by Sally Anne (Battin Kirkpatrick) Perkins, his loving wife of 31 years, as well as his children and stepchildren, of whom he was extremely proud: Carole (Dr. David) Wintin, Karen (Rev. Eric) Perkins Gale, Dr. Bryan (Yvonne) Perkins, Sheryl (Francisco) Lopez, Sara (Dal) Harper, and Haden Kirkpatrick. Surviving grandchildren: Josh (Cresta) Wintin, Mary Wintin, Sarah (Frank) Wintin Guthrie; Aaron (Allie) Gale, Elizabeth (AJ) Taylor, Bryce (Trisha) Perkins, Janalyn (Blake) Powers, Trent (Annie) Perkins, Kaity Wright, Keaton (Cathryn) Wright, Karly Wright, Anna Harper, Caroline Harper, and Dal Harper; surviving great-grandchildren: Cohen and Campbell Wintin; Evelyn, Vonnegut and Salinger Wintin Guthrie; Lucy and Isabel Gale; William, Ellis and Vivian Perkins; Charlotte, Savannah and Bodie Powers; Levi Perkins; Henry Wright.
Gene is also survived by two younger brothers: Rev. Dr. Ronald "Wayne" (Sally) Perkins and Dr. Thornton Delos Perkins.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his former wife, Carolyn (Speedy Perkins) Cummings, and an infant son, Gary Philip Perkins.

A Celebration of Gene's life will be held at 4:00p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Swartz Family Community Mortuary & Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/n.geneperkins.  The family will receive friends from 1:00p.m. until the time of service time at the mortuary.

Contributions in Gene's memory can be made to The Refuge, Inc, at 1150 Southpark Dr, Greenwood, IN, 46143, by mail or online at therefugeinc.com. They can also be made to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum at 1600 Wayne St, Auburn, IN, 46706.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.