November 11, 1945 —April 26, 2024
28,656 days
J Allen Perryman was born November 11, 1945, in Stella, Missouri to Violet Carmen Walden. J grew up in the beautiful Ozarks in Seligman, Missouri. He enjoyed the love of his mother, his grandparents, his many cousins and friends. As a boy he learned to hunt and fish with his granddad and floated along White River in boats his granddad built. J loved his boyhood friends, a true-life group of “Little Rascals.” He often reminisced about his escapades with the boys and their dog, Apache.
As a youth, J enjoyed his school years at Southwest High School and he attended the Baptist Church in Seligman where he was a member of the Royal Ambassadors. J accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at the age of 15. He loved to read scripture, and his favorite book in the Bible was Psalms. His favorite was Psalm 51.
Upon graduation from high school, at 17 years old, J joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Hull from 1963 thru 1967. While in the Navy, he sailed in the South China Sea, made his first trip to Vietnam, and having crossed the Equator earned recognition as a Shellback. When his enlistment with the Navy was finished, he moved back to Northwest Arkansas to attend college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After a couple semesters, he decided college was not for him and re-enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served the rest of his military career, ultimately attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. J’s military career was distinguished, and he was well respected and liked wherever he went.
On August 7, 1972, J and Glenda were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. Soon after, orders were received to move to RAF Alconbury, England for a 4-year commitment. While there, J and Glenda met and made lifelong friends with other Air Force members and their wives. Daughter, Scarlett Heather was born at RAF Lakenheath, England. J’s military career moved the family from England back to Las Vegas for 8 years, then to Ramstein AFB, Germany. At the end of that tour, the family moved back to Las Vegas where J retired in April 1986.
During J’s military career he traveled the world on duty assignments; HongKong, South Korea, Vietnam, England, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and due to his specialty, locations unknown to family. In total, J served three tours of duty in Vietnam and was forever linked to his fellow comrades-in-arms. J held a deep affection and compassion for all his military brothers and sisters.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, J took a year of rest before accepting employment with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. He appreciated being outside in the fresh air and sunshine. In 2004 he retired from the Postal Service to enjoy the Las Vegas life full-time.
J loved Las Vegas and all the amenities it had to offer. He loved the lights, the games, the entertainment and the relaxed life-style. His favorite activity was sitting in front of a game at his favorite casino, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a smoke in the other. He enjoyed talking, swapping stories and laughing with the casino employees and other casino guests.
J loved his wife, Glenda, and daughter, Scarlett. He loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and enjoyed the tree lights, the decorations and the home-baked goodies. He never forgot the true meaning of Christmas. J liked to brag about Glenda’s baking skills, especially the pies. He would tell everyone she made the best pecan and apple pies west of the Mississippi.
J was so proud of his daughter, Scarlett. He would readily tell everyone about her career accomplishments, how special and kind she was, how smart and educated she was, and how she did all of this on her own with no help from him.
He appreciated information and enjoyed reading newspapers, books, and the internet. J was very proud of his home library and the volumes of books he had accumulated, always ready and eager to share pictures of the library with others. He loved reading his Bible and sharing God’s word. Whenever possible, he readily witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His vocabulary was vast and he loved conversation, often teaching a new word or phrase to whoever he was conversing with.
J loved nature, enjoying his home garden and watching the hummingbirds, mockingbirds and lizards. He loved the rose garden; however, he left their care to Glenda. He just enjoyed seeing their beauty and smelling the sweet fragrance, taking a multitude of photos and sharing those photos with others.
From childhood, J loved baseball. As a boy he played baseball in position as pitcher. He would often demonstrate how to hold the ball a certain way for the various pitches. J liked to watch professional baseball. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Angels because they were once owned by Gene Autry.
J also loved music of all kinds, from the 40’s through the end of the 90’s. During the time he attended the University of Arkansas, he played drums in a rock band called the VIPS, sponsored by Pepsi. J had a vast knowledge of bands, who the members were, and song lyrics. He loved Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Big Bands from the 40’s and Pavarotti. He also loved the old church hymns, which could bring him to tears.
J refused to understand the social query, “Hi, how are you?” Whenever anyone said this to J, he would go into great detail to explain to the person just exactly how he was, listing his ailments, aches and pains. His philosophy was that if the person didn’t want to know. they would not ask the question!
J loved coffee, especially the convenience of the Keurig. But, the coffee had to be minutes fresh and piping hot, served in a china cup. He always had a cup in his hand and would readily offer home visitors a fresh cup.
J will be greatly missed by his wife, Glenda, and daughter, Scarlett; his love, his ready smile and good humor, his companionship, conversation, intelligence, and just his total being. J was and will always be greatly loved.
BEYOND LIFE’S GATEWAY
There’s an open gate at the end of the road
Through which each must go alone
And there in a light we cannot see
Our Father claims His own-
Beyond the gate your loved one finds happiness and rest
And there is comfort in the thought that a loving God knows best.
May God who calls our dear ones home
And grants them peace and rest
Give you the strength and faith to say
That He indeed knows best.
A visitation for J will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A committal service will occur Friday, May 10, 2024 from 10:40 AM to 11:10 AM at External Service Location, 1900 Veterans Memorial Dr, Boulder City, NV 89005.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in J's memory may be made to Nevada Department of Veterans Services, Nevada, https://veterans.nv.gov/donate/ or to a charity of your choice.
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