Obit: Perry, John Andrew - Major (1930 - 2019)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Diedrich-Long, Earl, McCready, Moore, Perry, Reed, Waughtal

----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 6/07/2019

Perry, John Andrew (22 DEC 1930 - 3 JUN 2019)

John Andrew Perry, age 88, passed away peacefully at Tomah Veterans Administration Hospice Care Facility on Monday, June 3, 2019.

John was born on Dec. 22, 1930, the eldest child of Andrew Solvay and Helen Cornelia (Reed) Perry. Living in Oneida, N.Y., for 18 years, John graduated high school in 1948 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving five years on active duty with stations in Morocco, the U.S.S Midway (CVB-41) and Atlantic City, N.J.

John had a lengthy military career not only with the Navy, where he earned the rank of Yeoman Second Class, but also with the Army Reserve and National Guard. After receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant of infantry, John served in the National Guard as well as the U.S. Army Reserve, ultimately medically retiring at the rank of Major in 1985.

A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in public communications, John began a long career in higher education teaching and administration holding various positions at Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY; Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL (two separate times); Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; Saint Norbert College, De Pere; the former Mount Senario College, Ladysmith; Dowling Catholic High School, Des Moines, IA; College Misericordia, Dallas, PA and Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, NE, where he retired with emeritus status in 1997.

Married to his childhood sweetheart for over 56 years, Virginia Jean (Earl) Perry, the couple had two children — Deborah Ann, born in 1956, and Charles Andrew, born in 1957. Virginia preceded John in death, passing away in 2010.

John is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ann Perry (Kevin) Moore of Sparta, his son Charles Andrew Perry (fiancée Brenda Diedrich-Long) of Holcombe, his grandchildren, Lucas Earl (Andrea) Moore of Madison and William Glenn Moore (fiancée Natalie), also of Madison, his younger brother, Richard (Laurie Perry) Lee of Ormand Beach, Fla; and a very special care giver of many years, Amanda McCready.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 10, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home with Pastor Loretta Waughtal officiating. A luncheon with full military honors will be held after the celebration at Sparta Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2112 at 121 South Rusk, Sparta.

Online condolences may be offered to John’s family at www.schanhoferfh.com.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, assisted the family with funeral arrangements.