Lt. Col. Charles E. (Gene) Perry, retired, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 15, 2014. Col. Perry was born on November 5, 1922 in Los Angeles, CA to Frank and Virginia Ruth Perry. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School, Phoenix, AZ and received a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State College (now Arizona State University) in 1951. He earned a Master’s degree from Colorado State College, (now Univ. of Northern Colorado) in 1963.
Gene enlisted in the Army in1942 and was on active duty during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Col. Perry was commissioned in February 1945. On May 2, 1952 he married Jerry Brown Anderson in Selma, Alabama. During his 27 years of service, Col. Perry served in Germany, Japan twice, Vietnam and several US installations.
He received the first of eight Air Force Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam on his birthday, November 5, 1964.
During his military service, Col. Perry was a command pilot and Glider pilot flying over 5000 hours. During his career he was a flight instructor of students from most NATO countries, as well as American students. He received a letter of commendation from the Japanese Air force Commander for his flight training of Japanese Air Defense Forces in 1957 while serving at Chitose AFB on the island of Hokkaido. In Greeley, Colorado he taught ROTC at Colorado State College, 1959-1963.
After retirement from the Air Force he and his family moved back to Greeley, Colorado where he pursued a career as Administrator of the Medical Group of Greeley for 17 years, and Director of finance for the Greeley Medical Clinic, and then again retired in 1987.
Col. Perry was a member of the Retired Officers Assn., Medical Group Management Assn., where he was active in state and national medical issues. He was an active member the Centennial Rotary Club of Greeley where he served several committees and as President 1979-1980, and in 2010 rejoined the organization in Georgetown, Sun City, Texas.
During their 58 years together Col. and Mrs. Perry enjoyed traveling, and continued to visit places around the US and the world after Gene’s retirement from the military. While living in Georgetown, TX he volunteered over 1000 hours at the Georgetown Hospital, tutored 3rd and 4th grade students, assisted with Special Friends, an Alzheimer support group and drove for COPS (Citizens on Patrol) a Sun City community assistance organization. Moving to the Wesleyan Independent Living in 2010, he was also active in volunteer capacities at the facility.
Preceding him in death was his wife Jerry B. Perry of 58 years. He is survived by his daughters Sherry, Priscilla and Kelley.
A memorial service will be held at The Worship Place in Sun City on December 3rd. Interment will be with his wife at Fairmount Mausoleum, Denver, CO.
Memorials may be made to Honor Flight Austin, the Wesleyan Benevolent Fund or, if desired, a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Cook-Walden/Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.
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