John William Perry

John William Perry, A Loving Husband, Father of Three and a Teacher to Many

John William Perry March 20, 1940 – December 2, 2025

John William Perry, 85, of Arlington, Texas, passed away on December 2, 2025, after a long illness. Born on March 20, 1940, in Columbus, Indiana, John was the eldest of six children born to John Franklin Perry and Mary Margaret Shafer Perry.

Growing up on the family farm near Newbern, Indiana, "Johnny," as his family called him, developed a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. He could often be found exploring the woods or wading the creeks near his home, cultivating a love of discovery that would shape his life and career.

John attended Newbern School through the eighth grade and graduated from Columbus High School in 1958. His passion for science led him to Indiana University, where he studied biology. While a freshman at IU, he married Shirley Jean Watts of Swayzee, Indiana, on March 14, 1959. Together they raised three sons while John completed his bachelor's degree and began his career as a science educator and researcher.

The family moved first to the Peru, Indiana area, then to Emporia, Kansas, where John earned his master's degree from Emporia State University, and later to the University of Oklahoma, where he earned his Ph.D. He went on to teach biology, zoology, and anatomy at Marietta College, West Virginia Community College, and Oklahoma City Community College, inspiring countless students with his enthusiasm for the natural sciences.

Following his retirement, John and Shirley enjoyed traveling. His passion for learning never waned, and he continued his scientific pursuits as a volunteer paleontologist for the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma.

John will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a teacher who loved sharing his curiosity about the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Shirley Jean Watts Perry, who passed away on July 29, 2005; and his brother-in-law, Don Boswell.

He is survived by his sons: John Michael (Cindy) of Arlington, Texas; Rex Lee (Donna) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Timothy Vaughn (Alyson) of Aspen, Colorado. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: John Stephen, Mark Joseph, Kyle Matthew, Kaitlyn Joy Xingji, Milana Rose, Sophia Mae, and Keegan Parker; and two great-grandchildren.

John is also survived by his siblings: Nancy (Bob) Dyer, Joyce Boswell, Linda (Tim) Thomas, Daniel (Beverly) Perry, and Deborah (Tim) Yingst.

A private burial will take place, with a celebration of life planned for a later date