James Brown Perry

James Brown Perry, Jr., age 70, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home on his birthday, January 28, 2026. Born and raised in Saint Paul, James lived his entire life in the community that shaped him and loved him.

James was the beloved son of James Brown Perry, Sr. and Olinda Perry, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his brothers John Ponte and Richard Ponte, and by a baby sister, Perry, who passed away on the day she was born. Though his family circle on earth grew smaller over the years, James remained surrounded by love, care, and the steady presence of those who cherished him.

James lived with learning disabilities, but he moved through life with determination, gentleness, and a quiet pride in his accomplishments. He graduated from the Northside Child Development Center in Saint Paul in 1974. Through their OJT program, known as "Schooldocs," James earned his first job at the Control Data Center Concordia facility.

In the newsletter celebrating his graduation, James shared that he collated books for computers and assembled sleds for Montgomery Ward. Those "books" were the massive, multivolume technical manuals for supercomputers such as the CDC 6000 and CDC 7600. Collating these manuals required precision, consistency, and systematic accuracy - work that James performed with care and reliability. His contributions supported some of the most advanced computing systems of their time, a legacy he carried with quiet pride.

In 1996, James began working at The Little Oven on Minnehaha Avenue, where he washed dishes two nights a week. He remained a loyal employee for nearly 30 years. Even after a pipe burst temporarily closed the dining room in December, James was still on schedule and fully intended to return when they reopened. The staff at The Little Oven were exceptionally kind to him, and James loved being part of their team.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the owners, managers, and coworkers who treated him with dignity, patience, and genuine affection.

James's roots ran deep in Saint Paul. As a child, he spent much of his time in the Rondo neighborhood, where his parents were active members of the Credjafawn Social Club. He grew up surrounded by community, culture, and the familiar rhythm of neighborhood life. He also spent time at Hallie Q. Brown, where he formed memories that stayed with him throughout his life.

James loved to walk. Whether strolling around his Valleyside neighborhood near 3M, circling Maplewood Mall, or returning to his beloved Rondo to retrace the streets of his childhood, walking brought him joy and peace. He knew every corner, every route, every familiar landmark.

He was also an avid Minnesota sports fan. James loved watching and talking about the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and especially the Lynx, whom he affectionately called "his girls." He could recall details from the 1970s to the present day, and he enjoyed sharing stats, memories, and commentary with family and coworkers.

James is survived by his nieces Angela Ponte (Todd Bagley), Victoria Barsness, andMalissa Medina; and by his nephew David Ponte (Kat Luttrull). Each of them carries cherished memories of James's gentle spirit, steady presence, and the love he sharedin his own quiet way.

As we celebrate his Homegoing, we rejoice in knowing that James is now fully restored, held in God's eternal light, and resting in the joy of His everlasting presence.

Homegoing held at Simple Traditions by Bradshaw (488 Humboldt Ave., St. Paul) on Thursday, February 12, from 6-8PM.