James R. Perry, age 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, in Fort Worth, with members of his loving family by his side. His life was marked by a matchless sense of contentment in all circumstances, made most apparent through his courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. His humble leadership was evident across all arenas of his life - as a leader in community involvement, having served within many local boards and organizations; as a luminary in the banking community, guiding several financial institutions; and as an anchor within his family, providing counsel and support to many over the years. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Marty Leonard Chapel, 3131 Sanguinet in Fort Worth. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Memorials: Memorial contributions in his memory are welcomed and may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054; or the
. Born Dec. 1, 1935, in Shamrock, he graduated from Odessa High School in 1954 and the University of Oklahoma in 1958. He served as president of the OU chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was a career banker working in Oklahoma City with City National Bank and Trust Company, in Odessa with State National Bank and in Fort Worth with First National Bank of Fort Worth (and successors InterFirst Bank, First Republic Bank and NCNB Texas). Early in his career, he was chosen "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" by the Odessa Junior Chamber of Commerce. He retired from banking in September 1989 as chairman of NCNB Texas Fort Worth and as chairman of the Texas Region of NCNB Texas. His numerous civic activities, all of which held great importance to him, include service with The United Way of Fort Worth and Tarrant County as president and chairman of the Board of Trustees, Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County as president, Fort Worth Chamber Foundation as chairman, Harris Methodist Health System as a trustee, Fort Worth Corporation as treasurer, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce as vice president, The Colorado River Municipal Water District as a member of the Board of Directors, The Fort Worth Club as a governor and treasurer, Exchange Club of Fort Worth as a sustaining member and the Young Presidents' Organization, Inc. as a member. At the time of his death, he was continuing his service as an Executive Committee member of the Southwest Exposition and Livestock Show. He served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery rising to the rank of captain. He was preceded in death by both his father, Charles B. Perry, and mother, Sunshine G. Perry. Survivors: The legacy of his strong character continues through the surviving members of his family: wife, June Perry; sons, Jeffrey Perry and Joel Perry, and daughter-in-law, Denise Perry; four grandchildren, Jordan Perry, Caprice Perry, Jim Perry and Mike Perry; brother, Charles Perry and sister-in-law, Jo Perry, brother, Ken Perry and sister-in-law, Mary Dean Perry and sister-in-law, Barbara Vaughn Skelton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in Star-Telegram from February 28 to March 1, 2013
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