Perkins soon relocated to California, and as World War II encompassed American life, he joined the U.S. Navy and was briefly stationed in the Aleutian Islands as a technical sergeant. While there, he assisted operations to regain control from the Japanese. In the late 1930s, Perkins briefly lived in Chicago, where he worked as a freelance illustrator. By 1940, he had transfered to Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) and joined the John McCrady Art School, located in New Orleans at 910 Bourbon Street. While a student, Perkins participated in numerous, significant exhibitions, including the "Thirteen Artists at War" show (1946), promoting New Orleans artists who served in the armed forces. He was also associated with H. L. Pease Publications as the company's art director, the Souhart Advertising Agency, and Charles Foster Advertising Agency, all located in New Orleans. Perkins received his McCrady school teaching appointment in September 1949, emphasizing illustration, layout, and design. After a short tenure, he then returned to California, choosing to teach at a Carmel colony for artists and writers. In his later years, Perkins was employed by Lockheed Aircraft Company (Lockheed Martin) as a graphic artist and died in Sunnyvale, California in March 1966. He is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Mateo, California.