Dorothy Darlene Perry

Dorothy Darlene Perry was born April 21, 1924, in Higginsville, Missouri. She was raised along with her 4 brothers and 1 sister. Jack, Eugene, Virginia, Bob and Bud Johnson by their parents John and Ella Marie Johnson. She had fond childhood memories. Popular stories she would share included her Dad getting his eye shot out by a Roman candle firework, and driving her father’s convertible Model-T Ford since the age of 12. She always loved “her wheels” and kept her cars in immaculate condition, continuing to drive well into her 90’s!

She attended Higginsville High School and graduated in 1942. She heard there were jobs available in Detroit, Michigan so she and a few classmates packed their bags and moved out of the house at seventeen years old. She and her friends lived in a Hotel near the Pancake factory they all worked at.

One of those friends from home, Don Perry, would propose marriage the following year. Immediately after the wedding, Don was drafted into the US Army to serve overseas in World War II. The newly married couple subsequently moved to San Antonio, TX for basic training. She rented a single room from a family who owned a boarding house, and she worked in San Antonio while Don was sent to France to serve under General Patton in World War II.

After the war, they moved to Kansas City, where they would live and raise their own 2 children Doug and Donna. She and Don lived in their house in Waldo at 72nd and Belleview for over 40 years before moving to “the Blue Building” condominiums at 333 West Meyer Blvd. A popular memory she shared was of her employment at Union Station where she worked as a teletype operator as well as delivering mail and messages on roller skates through the bustling train station in the late 1940’s.

She was active in many organizations including the Women’s Auxiliary at the Dwight Cowles Post 370, the Elks Club Lodge, and the Ararat Shrine. She had many hobbies including puzzles, sports and games. She was an avid Chiefs fan and hardly missed any football games over the last 40 years. She was a world traveler with tales from all over Europe. They took Road trips every summer in the 1980s with her grandchildren Brian, Darren, and Karen. They explored all over the United States. In the days before GPS navigation, she co-piloted their large Econoline Van to Colorado, the Carolinas, Virginia, Florida, Texas, and all places in between.

Don and Dorothy were happily married for 76 years before Don passed away in 2019. Sadly, she was just one month shy of her 100th birthday, when she passed away from complications arising after surgery to repair a fractured hip on March 14, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her son Doug, a KCMO police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1978. She is also reunited in heaven with her son in law Chuck Eddy, daughter in law Virginia, her siblings, parents, and many other beloved family and friends ready to welcome her with open arms. Her life and legacy will be carried on by her daughter, grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was an amazing person and will truly be missed.