James Thomas Perry

James "Jim" Thomas Perry age 76 of Newcastle passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at Integris Hospice House in OKC. He was born September 25, 1937 in Ryan, OK. He was the youngest of three children born to Bertie Lafayette Perry and Myrtle Lorena (Segars) Perry. Jim grew up in Ryan, OK. As a young boy he learned how to work hard raising cotton on the 120 acre family farm and the family hardware store. He continued that same work ethic throughout his life. He attended school at Ryan High School and graduated with the class of 1955. After high school he attended Southeastern University in Durant, OK for several years before going to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK where he received his B. S. Degree in Industrial Arts in 1961. Years later he got his Master's in Education Degree in 1974 from Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1958, Jim married Elaine Veech and together they raised three children, Michele, Shanna and John. Early in his life at the beginning of his teaching career, he followed in his father's footsteps and became a 32degree Mason. For the next 20 years Jim taught Industrial Arts such as woodworking, welding, carpentry and photography to high school students in Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. In his earlier years of teaching he also coached girls basketball and junior high football. In 1985 while living in San Antonio, Texas he became a high school administrator. It was there he met and later married Donella Ross, a fellow teacher. They were married on July 1, 1988 in San Antonio and remained living there until he retired in 1992. In 1993 they moved to Oklahoma to be close to his wife's family. But Jim couldn't retire and do nothing so for the next 7 years he worked as a VICA advisor at Eastern Okla. County Career Tech. in Choctaw, OK. In 2000, Jim and Donella moved back to Texas so Donella could retire as a Texas Teacher. While living in Pflugervielle, Texas Jim became a "Citizen on Patrol" a group of citizens who working with the local police department and the Community Emergency Response Team, known as (CERT). In 2008, after Donella retired, they again moved back to Okla. settling in Newcastle, OK where they live today. While living in Newcastle he was a member of the Newcastle Free Will Baptist Church. Throughout his life, Jim had many hobbies. He loved to tinker around the home, building and making things. He enjoyed tumbling stones, making jewelry, gardening and raising Jack Russell dogs. He and Donella also enjoyed spending days at the lake with their family. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather; he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. Jim was preceded in death by: Parents: Bertie and Myrtle Perry, Two sisters: Mary Eloise Dixon and Elizabeth Suzanne Carter. He is survived by: Wife: Donella Ross Perry of the home in Newcastle, OK, Three children: Elise Michele Hodges and husband Michael of Springtown, TX, Shanna Celeste Graves of Houston, TX, John Marcus Perry of Leander, TX, Two step daughters: Tracy Lane Dunlap of Raleigh, NC, Leslie Dyan Westlund and husband Michael of Moore, OK, Two brothers-in-law: John Dixon of Bovina, TX, Weldon Carter of Pampa, TX, Five grandchildren: Christopher Michael Hodges and wife Kristell of Paradise, TX, Jaimie Nicole Graham and husband Spencer of Georgetown, TX, Jacob, Kathryne and Thomas Graves of Houston, TX, Two great grandsons: Landon Hodges and Simon Graham. Also several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 at the Newcastle Free Will Baptist Church, Newcastle, OK. Interment will be at 3:00 P.M. at Ryan Cemetery in Ryan, OK. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle, OK. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association or to Integris Hospice House of Okla. 4334 N.W. Expressway, suite 106, OKC, 73116.

James Thomas Perry

September 25, 1937 - February 8, 2014