Lewis Charles PERRY

PERRY, Lewis Charles 85, born April 22, 1931 in Kirksville, Missouri died April 24, 2016. He was the only child of Lewis C. Perry and Emily Edwards Perry of La Plata, Missouri. Survived by his wife of 63 yrs, Sheryl; son, David Perry (Carie); daughter, Susan Lesprón (Tony); son, Stephen Perry (Paula); son, John Perry (Julie), and grandchildren, Gray Lewis, Samantha Lesprón, Raquel Lesprón, Sophia Lesprón, Elijah Perry, Molly Perry, Jacqueline Perry, Jessica Perry and Jillian Perry. From his youth he loved scouting and earned his designation as an Eagle Scout. In 1952, Lew went into the U.S. Air Force Pilot Training program and was awarded his wings in 1953, the year he married his childhood sweetheart, Sheryl Gupton. Lew graduated from the University of Missouri and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also worked for the Presbyterian Board of National Missions for three years, serving in Appalachia. Lew started private practice in 1967 in Ingleside, Texas, moving to sunny Tucson with his young family in 1972 at the invitation of schoolmate, Dr. Fred Heiserman. Amongst his many accomplishments, he served as President of Staff at Tucson General Hospital. Lew was in private practice and emergency medicine for 16 years in Tucson. In 1988, he chose to specialize in Emergency Medicine and moved to Lufkin, Texas. While there he often served as TV spokesman for Lufkin Memorial Hospital. Lew took great joy in volunteering after retirement, and volunteered at Oracle State Park and Interfaith Community Services in Tucson. He also enjoyed helping to host his 53-Fox pilot training class reunions every three to five years here in Tucson. Dr. Lew Perry had a tremendous wit and was a wonderful, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician and friend. He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills, 5102 N. Craycroft Rd., Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85741, www.ICSTucson.org