Alvon Dean Perkins

Alvon Dean Perkins, 85, returned to his Heavenly Father on July 20, 2026, in Payson, Utah. Born June 11, 1941, in Mesa, Arizona, to Chester and Laverta Perkins, he lived his life dedicated to family, friends, and his faith.

Dean grew up in Mesa when it was a farming community. He was the second of ten children, and he always had a special place in his heart for his mom. Growing up, he loved football, playing at both Mesa High and Eastern Arizona Junior College. Team roping, learning to make saddles, building bridles, belts, and chaps were also talents and interests that he loved to share with others. He got a real kick out of a good rodeo!

He worked hard his whole life. During his early years, he sold honey, going door to door to sell it and caring for the honey bees. He then worked at Mesa Sand and Rock, and finally Mesa Fire Department. He made friends wherever he went and loved talking to people, taking a genuine interest in them and making them feel important. This was a trait he carried with him throughout his life. Acquaintances, strangers, and pals often stopped by his leather shop and visited for hours, leaving feeling like they were Dean’s best friend.

He married his sweetheart, Cheri Huber, on March 24, 1961 in the Mesa Temple, and they raised four children around whom they centered their lives. They moved their family from Mesa to Kanosh, Utah in 1969 and have made it their home for the last 57 years. Their family has grown to include 17 grandchildren and 16, going on 17, great grandchildren. Dean had a laugh that made everyone smile and an infectious sense of humor.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dean faithfully served in many callings, including elders quorum president, high counselor, and Bishop of the Kanosh, Utah ward from 1990-95 where he focused on the youth who he loved with all his heart. He worked as a Manti, Utah Temple Worker, and he and Cheri served two missions: Nauvoo, Illinois, where he served as a teamster in 2006, and Tucson, Arizona in 2011. He had a profound testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Plan of Salvation.

Dean’s career life included multiple titles: farmer, rancher, saddlemaker, and others including Hay Boom Operator. He had an array of hobbies, taking up painting in his later years and making wooden spoons, church-lady bags, and fly swatters. He loved animals, most notably his big black horse, Snake; his Tennessee Foxtrotter, Sarge; his old dog, Jughead; and many mules and hound dogs. He loved hunting, fishing, cooking dutch oven meals that fed hundreds, trail rides, and Mule Days.

He adored his grandchildren, and he spent a lot of his time thinking about and bragging about them. He loved spending time with them at 4H, cheering them on either in person or from a distance at football, volleyball, and basketball games, and yelling, “Pin ‘em!” during countless wrestling matches.

He is survived by his wife, Cheri, and children: Dale (Valerie) Perkins, Douglas (Rachelle) Perkins, DeAnn (David) Ontiveros, and Delise (Burke) Fullmer, and his grandchildren and great

grandchildren. His siblings Lynn (Terry) Perkins, Carl (Debby) Perkins, Betty Burk, and Rick Perkins. He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, his brothers James and Danny, his sisters Denna Shumway, Barbara Perkins, and Marlene Iverson, and his beloved grandson, Dextyn.

A funeral service will be held on July 25, 2026 at 11:00 in the Kanosh ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 25 S. Main in Kanosh, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 9-10:30. Interment will follow at Kanosh Cemetery.

To Watch Funeral Services Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will Activate at 10:45 a.m. MST prior to Services.