Perry-Inhofe-Obituary

Perry Inhofe

Obituary

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The son of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was killed in a weekend plane crash in northeast Oklahoma, the U.S. Secretary of Defense confirmed.

Dr. Perry Inhofe, a 52-year-old orthopedic surgeon, died when the small plane he was piloting crashed Sunday near Owasso, a Tulsa suburb. Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said Monday that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "was informed of Sen. Inhofe's son's death."

"My thoughts and prayers are with Jim and Kay and their family as they mourn this terrible loss," Hagel said in a statement Monday, adding that the entire Department of Defense supports the Inhofe family and has "enduring appreciation for all they do on behalf of our military."

Perry Inhofe, who worked at Central States Orthopedics in Tulsa, was one of four children of Oklahoma's senior U.S. senator. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1984 and graduated from medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, according to the clinic's website. Telephone messages left Monday at Inhofe's clinic weren't immediately returned.

The married father lived in Tulsa.

The multiengine plane he was piloting was headed to Tulsa International Airport when it crashed shortly before 4 p.m. on Sunday, about five miles north of the airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane had taken off from Salina, Kan.

Jake Bray told the Tulsa World newspaper that he saw the crash from about 400 yards away, saying one propeller appeared to be out before "it started spiraling out of control and it hit the ground."

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker said in a statement Monday night that he extends "sincere condolences" to Sen. Inhofe, his wife and the rest of the family.

"There is no greater heartbreak for a parent than the loss of a child," he said.

Jim Inhofe, 79, has been a pilot for more than 50 years and owns several planes. The Republican is known for flying to campaign stops across the state.

In an interview earlier this year with General Aviation News, the senator said he taught his son Perry to fly in the family's 1954 Grumman Tiger and that the tradition was passed on to Perry's 16-year-old son, Cole, who made his first landing in September at an air show in Wisconsin.

A tail number provided by the National Transportation and Safety Board shows that the plane Perry Inhofe was flying Sunday was a 1974 Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, a fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft. The same model has come under increased scrutiny in recent years from the FAA after statistics showed a rising rate of accidents involving the plane. As a result, the agency developed a new comprehensive standardized pilot training program for the aircraft in 2008.

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SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

He did my hand surgery in late 2003. Great Dr. RIP

Draw close to God during this sad time.

I just received the news of Perry's passing a few hours ago. I was this workcrew boss in 1980 at Young Life's Malibu club. I remember him as a humble, poised young man. Because of his maturity, he was given the job as adult guest busboy. I think his time on workcrew was a really special time for him. He will forever be that kind young man who had just graduated from high school. He was part of an exceptional group of kids from the south who came on that June workcrew. Blessings to you his...

Inhofe family; we have a devoted prayer group and learned in my Sunday morning Bible class that one of our parent's son, Mitchell Knight was a good friend of your son. There are so many ties throughout our great state an among Christians with your family. Just know that you and your entire family are so much in our prayers as well as so many others in God's kingdom to help you deal with this transition! May God continue to heal and safeguard your lives. Our DEEPEST heart felt sympathies to...

To the family ... please my deepest sincerest condolences; I am so sorry to learn of the death of your loved one.

My husband and I were heartbroken to learn of Dr. Perry's tragic death on Nov. 10th. He had operated on my husband's right hand and had an appointment scheduled for the left hand on Nov. 19th. Dr. Inhofe was such a kind, caring physician and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God bless and comfort you as only He can.

Perry, I am one of hundreds that graduated with you at Edison. My father used to be the principal at Edison long time ago. You were a kind, generous person and always went out of your way to help and I will always remember that. Your loss will be felt for ever and my deepest sympathies to your family.
Nancy Hoopert

Dr. Inhofe will always hold a piece of my heart. I must share this special encounter that blessed me. Dr. Perry, is the best example of a professional, Christian man. In 2011, I was under his care for bilateral carpal tunnel - on the day of surgery for my first hand, I was extremely anxious and so nervous, I didn't think that I could go through with procedure. Lying on the operating table, I looked up and saw Doc's compassion and asked him, "are a praying man?" for which he...