Rusk banker will be inducted into 'Wall of Honor' in Friday night pre-game ceremony
BY LELAND ACKER

Jim Perkins, chairman of the board of Citizens 1st Bank and local attorney, will be the second inductee on the Rusk Wall of Honor at Eagle Stadium Friday.

The ceremony will begin at approximately 7:10 p.m. at Eagle Stadium.

"The Wall of Honor is an idea we had to honor past graduates of Rusk ISD," said Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent. "Our first inductee (Dr. Jim Swink) was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, Purple Heart recipient and doctor. Mr. Perkins is a lawyer, banker, business owner."

Dr. Largent said Mr. Perkins' qualifications for the Wall of Honor extend well beyond his professional career.

"He's a great philanthropist," he said. "He gives back to the community where he was reared."

Longtime friend of Mr. Perkins and editor of the Cherokeean Herald, Marie Whitehead, agrees.

"Jim will be remembered and praised for the defense of Rusk State Hospital and the establishment of two TDCJ units here. Most recently, he helped guide the plans for the new ETMC Physicians Clinic in Rusk and the Olympic Center.

In this file l photo from October 2006, James I. Perkins dedicates the new Citizens 1st Bank/ Perkins Soccer Field at the University of Texas at Tyler.

"Thousands of kids have been able to enjoy summer afternoons at the city swimming pool, thanks to Jim's intervention. He comes from a pioneer family in this county which traces its roots to the mid 1800s," she said.

The selection criteria for inductees of the Wall of Honor state that honorees are those who have brought recognition to Rusk ISD as a student, collegiate or professional. Inductees are to have shown high morals and ethics in conducting everyday affairs and serve as a role model for the Rusk community and students.

Those accomplishments may be academic, athletic, service or professional.

"Mr. Perkins is a good role model for students," Dr. Largent said. "They can achieve what they want, they don't have to be from a big city."

Dr. Largent also highlighted Mr. Perkins' service to Rusk.

"He remains active in the community through the Rusk Industrial Foundation and his business. We feel like he is one Rusk ISD can call on if we need him," he said.

Dr. Largent pointed out Mr. Perkins' contributions to Rusk.

Mr. Perkins established the Citizens 1st Bank/Rusk High School/Tyler Junior College Scholarships in 1999. Those scholarships provide five graduates of Rusk High School with fully paid twoyear scholarships to Tyler Junior College each year.

"It's a great way to give kids the opportunity to go to school who might not have had that opportunity otherwise," Dr. Largent said.

Mr. Perkins and Citizens 1st Bank have also been strong supporters of the Texas State Railroad.

Mr. Perkins is a graduate of the Rusk High School class of 1955. He played football for the Eagles, who were led by future TCU great Jim Swink.

Mr. Perkins graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA in 1959, the University of Texas School of Law in 1963 and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking of Southern Methodist University in 1976. He is a former chairman of the Stephen F. Austin Board of Regents, where he served for 12 years. He is an Eagle Scout, a former member of several service organizations and boards, and the former president of the Rusk Industrial Foundation.

He was nominated for the Wall of Honor by the Rusk Industrial Foundation for his service to Rusk. James I. Perkins poses in a threepoint stance for the 1953 Rusk High School Aerie yearbook. Mr. Perkins will be honored Friday night by being inducted onto the RHS Wall of Honor.