Arthur Reyburn Perry Jr., 86, formerly of Oak Park, died on Nov. 4, 2016. Born on Oct. 31, 1930 to Arthur Reyburn Perry Sr. and Mary Lucille Kahman Perry, he grew up in Davenport, Iowa along with his three younger siblings.
He attended St. Ambrose Academy in Davenport, where he loved football and was selected as a tackle on the 1948 Des Moines Register All-State High School Football Team.
Awarded a football scholarship by Notre Dame University, he played on the 1949 National Championship Team under legendary coach Frank Leahy. He graduated with honors in 1952 and went on to earn an MA in education. To the end of his life, he maintained a deep commitment to all things Notre Dame.
After college, he studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood and was ordained in the Diocese of Davenport on June 1, 1957. Following his ordination he taught at Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa. Art’s love of working with young people began here.
During his 13 years as a priest, he also served as chaplain at St. Vincent Home from 1957 to 1964 where he brought fun as well as spiritual care, along with an occasional lapse in decorum, to the children there. On one occasion, the director of St. Vincent’s, looking out an upstairs window, saw a large tree shaking violently. She rushed outside and, fearing some children might fall, cried out sternly, “Come down from that tree!” She was startled to see the bare legs and sandaled feet of Father Perry exiting the lower branches. He was trying to provide some active play and exercise to the young boys who were missing a father’s influence.
On his next assignment, he served as principal for six years at Notre Dame High School in Burlington, Iowa.
In 1970, he requested release from his clerical duties and joined the staff at Oak Park and River Forest High School as a dean of students, where he served until his retirement in 1993.
He married Suzanne Crane Perry of Burlington in 1970 and became stepfather to her five children. They have one son together. He and Suzanne moved to Miami, Florida after retirement. They returned to the Chicago area in April 2016 and settled into a new life at Casa San Carlo retirement community in Northlake.
Throughout his career, Dean Perry formed lasting bonds with his students. He corresponded with some and was a Facebook friend to many. Even in retirement, he often found opportunities to “interview” high school students about their interests, classes, goals and college plans. His interest in young people, coupled with his mild and unthreatening nature, made it easy for teens to feel comfortable talking with him.
Music was central to his life. He loved to sing and especially to sing his prayers. He and Suzanne were choir members at Ascension Parish in Oak Park and, during their 20 years in Florida, sang with the Schola Cantorum of Little Flower Church in Coral Gables. They were fixtures at daily Mass at St. Hugh Parish in Coconut Grove, Florida.
The night before he died, his children brought their instruments and surrounded Art with music: Songs and lullabies he sang to the children when they were small, filled the room. These simple tunes, sung in rounds and in parts, made him happy.
In addition to his wife, Suzanne, Art Perry is survived by his stepchildren, Melissa Boldebuck ( Richard Lambert), David Walz (Nancy Peterson), Theresa Castro (Jim Hubacek), Brian Walz (Cristi Belmonte), Mary Walz Lluhi (Joe); his son, Arthur R. Perry III (Jennifer Mack); his brother, Richard Kahman Perry; his two sisters, Mary Lu Soto and Hallie McNamara; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Scott David Walz.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 3 until 8 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 S. York Road, Elmhurst and Monday, Nov. 14 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., at Villa Scalabrini Chapel, 480 N. Wolf Road, Northlake.
Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.
Rich Wolfe
Father Perry – as I still call him- was very instrumental in my life. He dragged me out of a high school homecoming party to take me to my first Notre Dame game. My date still hates Father Perry.
He was constantly steering me to ND.
While interviewing Regis Philbin for my book on Notre Dame fans, Regis talked about his roommate who was Father Perry’s brother.
He was tough- really tough- a true molder of men. The world lost a good man!
Sandy Diewold Kerr
Very sorry to learn of Fr. Perry’s death. I knew him when he was principal at Notre Dame High in Iowa. He was an enthusiastic person, very caring and interested in all of us students. Always a joyful man who spread that joy throughout the student body. I’m sure the angels will rejoice as he enters the gates of heaven.
Tom B.
I also know him as Fr. Perry from my youth at St Vincents School here in Davenport. Now in my mid 60’s I have never forgotten him or the life lessons he taught. May he rest in peace and the Almighty watch over his family.
Greg Shanley
I will never forget Fr. Perry for his impact on my life. At Assumption High School he would give me detentions for no reason at all only because he wanted to have a talk with me to make sure I stayed on the straight and narrow path. Since I never had a caring father growing up, I count Fr. Perry as one of the two most influential father figures in my life. I think of him often and thank God for having him in my life. My prayers go out to all of his family.
Mike Mango
Very sorry to hear of Dean Perry’s passing. He was a great man and enjoyed having him as my Dean when I was @ OPRF. RIP.
Patrick Keenan
Mr. Perry was my counselor at OPRF High School in the 1980’s and I have nothing but fond memories of him. He was a great man and wonderful support to me during HS. I’ll never forget him.
Linda and Doug Belpedio
My husband, Doug, and I both worked at OPRFHS with Art and had the deepest admiration for him, personally and professionally. Our sincere sympathy to Suzanne and the entire family.
Linda and Doug Belpedio
Hal Feeney
I first met Fr. Perry during my years at Assumption High School. He was a teacher, a friend, and an influence on my college selection, Notre Dame. May he rest in peace.
JoAnne Murphy Galpin
Mrs Perry and family,
I am sad for your loss. I just saw this today. May God surround you with his comfort and peace during this time. What a great man! There is a place in my heart of fond memories our families shared together during our time at Ascension.
JoAnne Murphy Galpin
Tom and Jeneanne Murphy
We will always cherish the happy memories you gave to us Art. There are so many memories of fun times that we have. God Bless you, Rest in Peace and keep on singing Art.