Richard Curtis Perry

Richard Curtis Perry (June 30, 1941 - August 9, 2024)

Richard Curtis Perry, 83, passed peacefully from this life, August 9, 2024 surrounded by family, at The Peaks in South Jordan, Utah. Richard was born June 30, 1941 to Curtis Scott and Lucille Perry in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in several capacities. Richard loved missionary work, having served as a full-time missionary in the North German Mission. Richard was also called as a service missionary at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, where he worked as a volunteer with his wife. He loved family history and was very involved in family reunions. He was an enthusiastic teacher who really connected with the youth; his Sunday school class was always well-attended. Richard provided piano accompaniment for primary and priesthood meetings.

He always looked for ways to help others and wanted to make sure everyone was happy. He volunteered his time working with refugees, helping them as they came to the U.S. He gave freely of his time and other resources whenever he saw someone in need. He truly was a giant among men. Even in his final days his main concern was that everyone was taken care of.

These experiences, along with others, instilled within him a love of serving others, learning languages, experiencing new cultures, music, and travel. He also had a passion for martial arts, earning his fourth degree black belt after the age of seventy. He was an avid snow skier, who enjoyed many weekends skiing with his children and grandchildren into his eighties. Richard loved parades and sharing them with his family. He traveled as often as he could and camped with his family all over the west. He loved searching for and collecting rocks, fossils, and minerals. He had a telescope and spent many nights stargazing. Richard felt it was important to be connected to the land. He had an impressive garden, several fruit trees, and multiple grape vines in his yard.

Richard was very musical. He played the trumpet for the University of Utah Marching Band. He taught himself how to play the guitar, took piano lessons as an adult, and had all sorts of musical instruments that he collected in his basement. He instigated weekly jam sessions with The Perry Family Band where they sang classic covers of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", "Rainbow Connection", and everyone's favorite, "Grandma's Feather Bed". His love of music rubbed off on his children who continue his legacy with multiple generations of family bands.

Richard graduated from Bountiful High School and attended the University of Utah where he graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1969. He worked as a pharmacist for more than 50 years, first while stationed at a NATO base in Europe from 1970 - 1973. Upon returning home, he worked at Bountiful Drug, Harmon's, and he eventually owned Ream's Pharmacy on 3300 South in Salt Lake City. He served the surrounding community for more than two decades. Richard was recognized as Utah Pharmacist of the Year for 2011.

While at a stake dance, Richard was dazzled by a British beauty, Hazel Martin. She quickly became the love of his life and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9, 1966. They started their family right away, even as the US Army moved them to Europe, where he attained the rank of Captain. Together they seized the opportunity to travel all over Europe in a 1971 VW microbus with their small, but growing family. Richard and Hazel eventually settled in Sandy, Utah where they built a beautiful life together and raised seven wonderful children. They were an excellent example of a loving, timeless relationship.

Among his many loves, Richard held his family closest to his heart. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the true joys of his life. He cherished every moment spent with them, creating lasting memories that will endure for generations. He led a very blessed and fulfilling life and left his mark on all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Richard is survived by his children, Steven (Aspen Tielynn) Perry, Lora (Troy) Chisholm, David (Tracy) Perry, Charmaine (James) Talbot, Julie (Ryan) Halterman, Robert (Amber) Perry, Lisa (Nate) Larsen, 28 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, his brother and sisters, Grant Perry, Carol Bjork, Janice (Norman) Bosworth, Elaine (Ross) Youngberg, and Sharon (Mark) Youngberg. Richard is preceded in death by his beloved wife Hazel Ann Martin Perry, and his parents, Curtis Perry and Lucille Perry.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 11 am at Anderson & Sons Mortuary Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland, UT 84003. A viewing will be held at the same location Monday, August 19th from 6-8pm and just prior to the service from 9:45 am. Interment, Highland City Cemetery in Highland, UT.

Funeral services will be streamed live at the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/t1dfY4ApJw8