Ralph Eugene Perona

Ralph Eugene Perona, 100 of McAlester died Friday February 21, 2025, at his residence.
Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday February 27, 2025, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at Bishop Chapel of Memories officiated by Dr. Michael Vanlandingham. Masonic Rites will be officiated by Mr. Ron Chambers. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honors Team.
Burial followed at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery, McAlester.
The Pallbearers will be Terry Harrison, Carson Harrison, Jim Harvey, Clem Peppers, Randy Roden, and Greg Wright.
Honorary pallbearers are the Members of The Disabled Veterans.
Ralph was born to John Anton and Clara Ethel (Roberts) Perona on August 17, 1924, in Savanna. He attended McAlester High School. Ralph served in the U.S. Army Air Corp and reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1942 to 1948, serving during WW II in the European Theatre at Burtonwood, England Army Airfield. After the war he was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany, then Maryland.
He married Elsie Beswick on April 5, 1947. Ralph worked for Imperial Chemical Industries in Weaverham, England for 14 years. He then worked as an Inspector for General Motors Europe for 16 years in Ellesmere Port outside of Liverpool, England, retiring in 1979. After the death of his beloved wife Elsie, he moved from England to McAlester.
He married Rosalee Duke on August 6, 1983, in McAlester.
Ralph worked at T.H. Rogers Lumber Company for 10 years. He went on to work at the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester for 16 years.
Ralph was a member of the Krebs Masonic Lodge #32, S. McAlester Lodge #96 and McAlester Lodge #9 and was a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason and also member of the York Rite and Eastern Star.
He was a member of DeMolay International and Rainbow International. Ralph was a member of the Pittsburg County DAV Chapter 20. He was a member of McAlester First Baptist Church.
Ralph was an accomplished musician and was known for playing the clarinet and saxophone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Perona and Ethel Perona; stepmother, Ruth Perona; wife, Elsie (Beswick) Perona; 2nd wife, Rosalee (Duke) Perona; son, Michael Perona; daughter-in-law Pat Perona;and a brother, John T. Perona.
Survivors include, daughter, Julie Judge and husband Steve; grandchildren, Sandra McDougall, Gareth Perona and wife, Nicky, Kelly Perona, Hannah Cook and husband, Dewi, Sam Judge; great grandchildren, Chelsea Perona, Leah Perona, Marlie Rae Perona, Chloe Perona, Liam Perona, Cameron Perona, Oliver Perona, George Cook and Toby Cook all of England; nieces, Camilla Perona, Marian Shelby and her husband, Lee both of Oklahoma; cousins, Robin Perona, Denny Williams, Rosemary Ashcraft and her husband, Danny, and Greg Wright and his wife, Amy along with their two daughters, Sydnee and Brynlee all of Oklahoma; numerous other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Pittsburg County DAV Chapter 20 or The Robert B. Thomas VFW Post 1098: https://vfwpost1098.org/donate.html.