Stephen Oliver Perry Jr.

COLONEL (RET.) STEPHEN O. PERRY, JR., 81, of Port Charlotte, Fla., beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. He was born on Oct. 15, 1940 in Chicago to the late Stephen O. Perry, Sr. of Chicago and Anne (Leitunikas) Perry of Chicago.

Steve graduated from Loyola University, Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in business administration where he was in ROTC and a member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity. Steve earned a master of public administration degree from Penn State University, State College, Pa.

Steve was a career military officer who joined the U.S. Army on July 7, 1962 and completed Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne School that same year. In 1965, he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course, and in 1969 the Infantry Officers Advanced Course. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1973 and the U.S. Army War College in 1980.

Steve proudly served two tours in Vietnam. One tour with the Special Forces as a Green Beret and his second tour as an Infantry Officer with the 25th Infantry Division. Throughout his career he received several distinguished service awards, including: the Legion of Merit, five Bronze Star Medals, including one with V device, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutists’ Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge. After serving his country for 30 years, including approximately nine and a half years of foreign service, Steve retired on July 31, 1992 as a full Colonel.

He was of the Roman Catholic faith and served as a lector and Lay Eucharistic Minister at the chapels of various military installations where he served.

In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his sister Mary Ann Meldeen. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Darlene Mae (Pietraszewski) Perry, his brother William M. Perry, six children Sharon Sack (David), Stephen W. Perry (Christine), Michael Perry (Katherine), Sean Perry (Heather), Thomas Perry and Catherine Day (Mark); 13 grandchildren Sophia Rigby (Jason), Samantha Reed, Robyn Perry, Zachary Perry, Debra Perry, Ashley Perry, Holly Perry, Stephen P. Perry, Mela London, Evan London, Reagan London, Mark Perry and Alex Perry; and three great grandchildren Conor Rigby, Abigail Rigby and Riley Rigby.

Funeral services will take place at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 1441 Spear St., Port Charlotte, FL 33948 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at 11 a.m., followed by visitation at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952 at 12:30 p.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kayspongerpc.com for the Perry family.