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Paul Perris Obituary
Paul E. Perris
"Life is not about arriving at the end of the journey in great shape and unscathed but, rather, coming in skidding sideways, thoroughly worn out, beat down and yelling, 'WOW, what a ride.'" From PEP to PEP II.
The memorial service for Paul Everett Perris (PEP), 59, McKinleyville, who died February 8, was Saturday at the Arcata VFW Post 2542 Memorial Building.
An honor guard presented the folded American flag to family, shot 21 volleys and played taps. Per Paul's wish, his cremains will be cast in the ocean from a Navy ship.
Born May 9, 1950, Burbank, CA, Paul and family moved in 1959 to McKinleyville. At 18, and during the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the Navy, qualified as a submariner on the USS Wahoo (SS 565), was a radioman first class on the USS Bonefish (SS 582), and a communications repairman, US Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan. He said that qualifying for his submarine Dolphins pin was his greatest achievement.
Paul's buddies included submariners, those of the VFW, and Jimmy, Aaron and home nurse, Kate. He was a member of U.S. Submarine Veterans (USSVI) and its Cyberspace Base; life member, VFW, and lobbied for veterans' benefits, including for disabilities, on state and national levels. Among Paul's many talents were playing multiple musical instruments and, for others, fixing, with a smile and no charge, anything mechanical.
Paul is survived by mother, Janice Perris, McKinleyville; son, Navy Petty Officer First Class Paul E. Perris II (wife, Adesa), San Diego; brother, Michael DeVaney and family, Lake Arrowhead, CA, and former wife, Melinda Perris, Arcata. He was preceded in by father, Everett Perris.
Those who wish may make a memorial donation in Paul's name to the nonprofit USSVI Charitable Foundation/Brotherhood Fund to benefit active and veteran submariners: USSVCF, PO Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383, or online http://tinyurl.com/y8srxwl or www.ussvi.org
(click left, charitable foundation).
We're grateful to Paul's friends for their compassion and thoughtfulness. Online Guest book www.legacy.com/obituaries/times-standard.
Photos http://picasaweb.google.com/nancyyockey/PEP?feat=directlink.
Paul fought the good fight, finished the course, kept his faith. Sailor, rest your oar.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Perris
Dana Jackson
March 8, 2010
Paul will always be a great person to me (even in Heaven). I met him thru my mother, clystie Pruden, whom was his girlfriend at one time, He helped her immensly with her own situations and I will always be grateful to him for that. Rest In Peace, Paul. We all Love and Miss YOU!!
March 2, 2010
Condolences to PEP's family and friends. We will miss his positive attitude and great friendship.
Your comrades at VFW Post2542
Jim Schenk
March 1, 2010
I did not know Paul, but I can vouch for his caliber, integrity, and dedication because we're both Submarine Veterans. I too will have my burial ceremony at sea and will have my ashen remains taken on patrol by a boat out of Submarine Squadron Six going on patrol, and while she is making turns for home port, the crew will fire my ashes from Tube #1 as the song that I wrote titled, "My Last Patrol", is played over the 1MC. I will take my Dolphins with me to Davy Jones' Locker and eternally be with all of my brother boatsailors who did not return. Rest your oar, Brother Paul...
Kathryn Conway-Williams
February 26, 2010
My sypmathies to Paul's family. We were friends and confidants at a time when life looked pretty rough. His energy, passion for life and kindness to all will be remembered with great fondness. The world is a sadder place without Paul.
Charles Kruger
February 26, 2010
PEP I will always remember the memories of our liberties together on the USS Bonefish with you and Cozine and all the great times we had in Westpac. I'll miss you shipmate!
Charlie Kruger
ICC(SS) USN Retired
USS Growler (SSG 577), USS Medregal (SS 480), USS Bonefish (SS 582), USS Haddock (SSN 621), USS Richard B. Russell (SSN 687)
Patti and John Lynn
February 26, 2010
My husband John and I wish to express our condolences to the family of PEP. We did not know him personally, but he through various Submarine Bulletin Boards, we got to know him. He was a true "Brother of the Phin" and will be sorely missed.
Gene Brockington
February 26, 2010
Paul -
Condolences and sympathies to your family. It was an honor and pleasure to know you.
Doug Peterson
February 25, 2010
My condolences to the Family and all who knew Paul. I personnally did not know him but served as he did and know exactly what he meant about the true meaning of qualifying and earning those dolphins. God Bless you.
Doug Peterson
USS Guardfish SSN 612 (Nuke Plankowner)
USS SeaHorse SSN 669 (Nuke Plankowner)
SubVets member of the Cuddlefish Base
Retired PG&E HBPP Pwr Plt
Paul E. Perris (PEP) Sailor, rest you oar.
nancy yockey-bonar
February 24, 2010
Bill Quinn
February 23, 2010
I was sorry to read about Paul's passing in the paper. I knew him well enough to like him, and to know his passing is a terrible loss for his loved ones. When our time comes to cross over, it is a comfort to know we will rejoin those we love.
Ron Gorence
February 22, 2010
A Courageous Submariner called Pep will be remembered,
Debbie & Curt McBride
February 22, 2010
Paul Perris II, I have known your Dad since high school days and he was a classmate of my husband, Curt. As you know we live in the same neighborhood, and a few years ago at Christmas your Dad knocked on the door and surprised us with a homemade pie he had made himself. He has been a good neighbor and friend. We have enjoyed over the years watching his spoiled bassett hounds.
When your Dad was fighting his battle with cancer, he would explain it in a very positive way and we were really hoping and praying he would win. As we would pass on the road he would give a big smile and wave, but I could tell the disease was taking its toll.
I have had the pleasure of knowing you Paul, since you were in high school. You are such a fine young man and always a pleasure to talk to. I'm glad that you were able to come home from Afghanistan to be with your Dad.
I am sorry we could not attend the service on Saturday as we were out of town. May your memories of your Dad bring you comfort.
February 22, 2010
To Paul's Mom, Wife, Son & family
I am so sorry. Paul has been a true friend to many. He has been my friend since we were kids. He could jump his bicycle higher and throw the baseball better than most back when we were kids. We would remember old times at the Campbell, Magliano, Severson, Sullivan reunions. What fun we had as children. What fun we had laughing at some of the things we thought of to do. Gave all our Mom's grey hair! Paul will be missed..he brought joy and laughter to all of us. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. My husband and I will be remembering all of you in our prayers. I thank God for Paul and how he Blessed so many of us.
Joe and Susan(Magliano) Holbrook
Nancy Bonar
February 22, 2010
On final patrol, PEP's blowing one of Gabriel's horns and serving with other Dolphin Brothers under the command of THE Admiral
As a father, son, buddy, Paul was a "steel man from iron boats" who left a legacy of courage and inspiration.
Nancy Yockey Bonar, aka "Subsister," "Brenda Starr"
JOHN MARKIEWICZ
February 21, 2010
I met PEP for the first time in person at the USSVI convention in Reno in 2003 though I had known him on Cyberspace Base for awhile. He had made T-shirts for us all that were there and we had a great time getting to know each other. I continued to correspond with PEP on the Cyberspace Base Forum every since as well as exchanging emails periodically. He was, as the Irish say, A lovely man.
Sid Harrison
February 21, 2010
Condolences to the family of Paul Perris.
We never met other than on the internet
but he was a fellow Submariner and a cyber-shipmate.
---
Sailor rest your oar.
Sid Harrison USN/Ret
Stephen Long
February 21, 2010
PEP, It was a privledge to have been your shipmate and friend in Cyberspacebase and in the personal meetings that were all too few and far between due to time and distance. I salute your fierce patriotism, your devout Christianity and your love of your fellow man. Please keep a good eye on all of us as you command our base while at the right hand of the Father.
Bravo Zulu for your life PEP, you will be remembered forever.
Until we meet again,
Steve Long (Gillyking) exTM2/SS
John Andersen
February 21, 2010
Pep
Your incredible attitude was, is and will be an inspiration to all of us critters at Cyberspace Base
Sailor, Rest Your Oar
fred tredy
February 21, 2010
All my best to PEP's family. I served with him on the USS Bonefish and meet him at our reunions. He always had a great smile and positive attitude. He will be missed by us all.
Kent Weekly
February 21, 2010
Condolences to the Perris family. It was my pleasure and honor to know PEP and to see him again after too many years in Portland in 2009.
Rest in Peace my friend
You stand relieved of the watch.
Kent Weekly
Trieste Base Commander
USSVI
Randy Cox
February 21, 2010
Paul,
To a great friend that I will miss.Together we always enjoyed each others knowledge of countries overseas and Harley Davidson motorcycles.Rest in Peace old buddy.I shall see you again.
Friends Forever
Randy Cox
Michael Williamson
February 21, 2010
PEP, Condolences to you and your family from your Brothers of the "Phin" at the USS Bonefish Base.
We met 34 years ago. Then again two years ago. Times have changed both of us. It was good to see you and your son at the B-girls Reunion in Portland last June 2009.
Sail on with the unseen Shipmate. We will join you soon enough.
Mike "Willie" Williamson
USSVI Base Commander
USS Bonefish Base (SS-223)/(SS-582)
www.bonefishbase.org
Donald Johnson
February 20, 2010
I posted these words on the Bottomgun BBS, but I was not able to come say them in person at your service, so I will repost them here.
"Our Shipmate has gone from us. No more will we see his smiling face, hear the laugh, share a sea story or a warm embrace.
But like the boats we once rode and are no more, he lives on, in our hearts and in our memories. And as long as we remember, he will never truly be gone.
The following is adapted by me from the Fleet Reserve Association Funeral Rituals. I don't know if PEP was an FRA Shipmate, but he was certainly OUR Shipmate, the words apply to him, and he deserved to have them said of him.
"Shipmates, we have assembled here to pay our tribute to Shipmate Paul Everett Perris (PEP), who has received orders to serve on the staff of the Supreme Commander. Shipmate Perris sailed through life’s cruise, meeting his share of calms and storms, adverse tides and favoring winds. His ship of life has come to its final anchorage, in a harbor still uncharted by mortal men. We who remain do not know the waters there, but we do know the course to steer, and we believe that our shipmate, setting his course by those beacons that have been given us, has found that harbor safely. To those loved ones whom our departed shipmate has left behind, awaiting their own day of departure and voyage to that same harbor of eternal mercy, we can only offer our sympathy in this time of separation and loneliness. There are many words that could be used at this time to describe the good and outstanding qualities of the one who has gone before, but we sum it up in one word: SHIPMATE. That word, when spoken by Naval, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard personnel, embodies all the good things that can be said of any person. Paul Everett Perris was our SHIPMATE.”
“We who remain to carry on should not think of Shipmate Perris as gone from us, but rather that our shipmate has been transferred to another ship or station where we all hope to be shipmates again.”
Bon Voyage, Shipmate PEP, until we meet again.
Sailor, Rest Your Oars
Donald L. Johnson
EM1(SS) USN Retired
Assistant Chaplain, USSVI Wahoo Base
Chaplain, Past President, FRA Lemoore, Ca. Branch 261
Chaplain, American Legion Visalia, Ca. Post 18
Gwen Jones
February 20, 2010
We will miss you Paul. We are so glad you were able to attend our last Mckinleyville Class of 1968 High School Reunion. I believe you had a really good time seeing your old buddies and talking to everyone. Our prayers and thoughts are with your son and family.
Don Gentry
February 20, 2010
PEP, I'll miss all our chats about Harleys and such. The submarine community will feel your loss for some time to come.
Rest in peace shipmate - you battled hard and made us all proud!
Bob Chew
February 20, 2010
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Poetry Foundation
Ric Hedman
February 20, 2010
PEP it was a privilege to know you and a joy to talk with you. We talked about this day. I hope you had a chance to complete the details you wanted.
Rest in peace shipmate!
Hand Salute! Two!
Cora Corneliuson
February 19, 2010
We never met face-to-face but PEP was a friend when I needed support after my brother died and other times.
I know that he wanted to stick around long enough to attend a special sub reunion or convention. I don't think he made it. God needed him first, but I know he will be there in spirit.
Sailor, rest your oar.
Corabelle
February 19, 2010
RIP PEP
STAND RELIEVED THIS WATCH
COMMENCE INDEPENDENT HEAVENLY OPS
WHALEN SENDS
George Dozier
February 19, 2010
It was a privilege to know Paul. Though saddened by his passing, I know that he is now in a better place and is free of pain and illness.
Paul Hartridge
February 19, 2010
I met 'PEP' when I travelled the US in 2004. A kind hearted man and a 'Brother Submariner', it was an honour to have known you Paul. Rest In Peace. Paul/Blue
Paddy Garland
February 19, 2010
Paul, I will surely miss you. Thank you for your kindness and the memories that I have for the short time that I knew you.
To Paul's family and friends I extend my deepest sympathy.
February 19, 2010
I am sorry I did not meet Paul in person. I did read with much interest and pleasure his many postings on the Submarine Bulletin Boards.
I will miss you Paul. RIP.
Ron Mitchell
Pastor Chuck Clark
February 19, 2010
Having met Paul just 5 years ago and being his pastor, the expressions written by others here confirm my sentiments of Paul. He truly was an honorable man who loved his country and knew that freedom is not free.
My respect and thanks to all of you who proudly served our nation and gave part of your life and would have given all of it had it been required.
YOU are the ones who have made America great. I salute each of you and thank you for your friendship to Paul long before I had the privilege of knowing him.
In the last days of his life, his faith was very strong as we prayed together. He spoke proudly of his shipmates/fellow submariners. In talking with him, I realized you all are a rare but great breed!
God rest his soul and God bless you all. Godspeed Paul Everett Perris!
Your friend and pastor, Chuck Clark, Diane and Benjamin as well.
February 18, 2010
Pep thanks for the memories in Reno where I got to meet with you. I stll have your Orange Tee shirt you gave me from the "Critter Club". Sail In peace I have your watch Sailor rest your Oar.
Paul Orstad
TMC(SS)USN Ret.
Norwich, CT
Levi Boatright
February 18, 2010
Paul was a friend and a good man. He has been a great help to me more than once. He was a very giving person. I will miss him, for now, but will see him in heaven! My prayers are with Paul's family.
Dale Hoppe
February 18, 2010
Another shipmate has crossed the bar. Blessings to you PEP. I, and many others are better off for having known you. Your patriotism and community volunteer work will be remembered.
Patrick Householder
February 18, 2010
Paul was a very well respected member of the Submarine Veteran community and he will be missed by us, having now taken his final and Eternal Patrol to a place of eternal glory. It was our pleasure and privilege to know PEP and we hope that the memories of better times will soon replace the sadness of PEP's passing.
Sail on in eternal peace, Shipmate. Thank you for your service in Submarines to our Nation and for being our Shipmate. You stand relieved. We have the watch.
Patrick Householder
US Submarine Veterans Natl Commander
R.T. Moore
February 18, 2010
Paul has crossed the bar. He was a good friend and a man strong and unwavering in his Christian faith. I know with perfect certainty where his spirit is: home with his Lord. I am both happy for him and sad for me because he is not here to visit with anymore.
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8
February 18, 2010
Condolences from my home to yours. PEP was a special person, friend and Shipmate. He will be missed by many for a long time.
Ralph & Sharon Luther
Summerville, SC
Fred Gardner
February 18, 2010
Sailor, Rest Your Oar
Those of us who remain have assumed the watch
You will be remembered and missed
Paul Perris II
February 18, 2010
A Loving Father, inspiring shipmate and Great mentor... Well missed. Good Bye Dad and Thank You..
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