Jack W. Perry, 84, of Baker City, died July 10, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His memorial graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by Baker City AMVETS, Post 1874. Honor guard will be by Co. A 3-116th Cavalry, Oregon National Guard. Officers of the Bend City Police Department will also assist.
Jack was born in 1921 at St. Maries, Idaho, to John and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Perry. His parents moved to Bend when he was 7, and he lived there for the next 78 years. He met Betty Jeanne Smith and they were married on May 4, 1946. They had two sons and a daughter. Jack and Betty moved to Baker City in 1999.
Jack joined the Army National Guard as a senior in high school in 1939 and trained at Ft. Lewis, Wash. During World War II, he went to the South Pacific and served as platoon sergeant for three years.
He was wounded during an engagement on his first campaign in New Guinea and was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was sent to a field hospital in Australia, and upon his recovery he rejoined his troops for two more campaigns. The last one involved the taking of Biak Island.
He was discharged from the Army in 1945 and rejoined the Oregon National Guard. He served as company commander of the National Guard Infantry Division in Bend for 16 years, and then commanded the National Guard Tank Corps in Redmond for three years. He retired at the rank of captain on June 23, 1981.
In 1952, Jack joined the Bend City Police Department. He retired as a sergeant in 1978 after serving 26 years. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Reserve Officer Association and Retired Officers Association of the United States.
Jack loved the great outdoors, and throughout most of his life he spent much of his time with his family hunting, fishing, camping, and being part of it. In later years, when he physically couldn’t get around outside, he would still enjoy the new stories that friends and family would tell.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty; three children, David L. Perry of Cheyenne, Wyo., Sharon Love of Eagle Point, and Stephen J. Perry of Baker City; a sister, Shirl Dewitt of Palmdale, Calif.; eight grandchildren, John Love, Jaime LaRance, Leslie Elms, Stephanie Elms, Kimberly Perry, Wade Glanders, Tony Perry, Brianna Perry; and nine great-grandchildren, Shawn Long, Richard LaRance, Riley LaRance, Erin Elms, Madison Elms, Averi Elms, Rylee Elms, Joshua Glanders, and Noah Glanders.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Arnold Perry, Gene Perry, and Carl Perry; and a sister, Juanita Bryan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 380 S.E. Spokane St., Suite 110, Portland, OR 97202. Coles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 29, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
