John Stanley Perkins, 48, of Culver City, California passed away in the company of his husband and immediate family on January 9, 2026 after enduring over three years of the ravages wrought by pleomorphic liposarcoma.

John had a gifted intellect and razor sharp wit. He was the guide to whom we routinely turned for answers to life’s tough questions and for help navigating the hard paths. John operated with intention and sincerity that drew out the best in those around him. He believed in community and stewardship of his surroundings. He loved local libraries, chatting with strangers, and diligently watching after what he could recycle or compost.

He was worldly and well-traveled. He fondly recalled his visits to Australia, Great Britain, Bali, Iceland, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Maui, the Caribbean, and—if it was to visit loved ones—the Des Moines metro area. He was well read and well fed, an appreciator of life’s spectrums. John was the man whose day might end with a kitchen table reservation at Alinea or private table at Per Se, but not until he fulfilled his lunch craving of a chili dog from 7-Eleven.

He loved his family and his friends above it all. His people were his core, and the feeling was so deeply and thoroughly mutual. No one enriched his hunger for exploring the highs and lows of life like his husband, Nicholas Grippando. They had been partnered for nearly twenty years.

In addition to his husband, John is survived by his parents, John and Judy Perkins; his sister, Jennifer Wyland (Jimmy Wyland); his brother, Jeff Perkins (Marie Snyder); and his nephew and niece, Jimmy and Jacklynn.

We plan to hold a celebration of life in his second city, Chicago, sometime in the coming months. We ask that if you are inclined to make any financial contribution in John’s honor that you do so to the Sarcoma Foundation of America. If you are eligible and willing, we encourage you to consider making a blood or platelet donation. It is impossible to measure the gratitude we have for those blood and platelet donors who gave of themselves to add those final days and hours to his time with us.

Otherwise, the next time you are dining out with your loved ones, go JSP-style and feed your curiosity with those extra appetizers and desserts. Hit or miss, he’d say you’re worth it.