Les Perry

Les was born on February 27, 1953, in Pontiac, Michigan to Michael and Dorothy (Wall) Perry and grew up in a loving and big family. He fell in love with lake life early on as he spent countless hours with his siblings at the various lakes surrounding their home on Rustic Circle in White Lake Township. He was known for being endearingly devious and voraciously curious. His brain was a sponge and he soaked up knowledge of anything and everything. One of his favorite things to say was that he was the "master of useless information."

Les loved to run wild in the neighborhood (innocent pranks abound) and he especially liked pulling pranks on his younger brother. Sorry, not sorry, Uncle David! He was the first in his family to graduate from college and still bemoans the travesty of his daughters choosing any school other than The University of Olivet (formerly known as Olivet College). A lover of all sports, he was a baseball card collector and dreamed of the MLB. He played baseball at Olivet, was far too good for the MLB and decided to play softball with his friends for fun. He was a proud member of Kappa Sigma Alpha and we would be remiss if we didn't hint at the "non-hazing" activities that he experienced.

Les was an educator, a teacher and a role model. He captivated the minds of 5th graders for his entire illustrious career, introducing the idea of multiple methods of learning to his students. When he retired early to live his best lake life, he filled journals with his creative lesson plans, outlining his genius in thoughtful detail. He met the love of his life at Contos Bar on a VERY special night, 3 for one beer night to be exact. It was Judi's 18th Birthday and Les very slyly asked her to dance, after he determined that she lived close enough to him to be within the ideal dating distance.

They married on June 24, 1978 at Warwick Country Club in Grand Blanc and welcomed their daughter Lauren Michelle on August 3, 1987 and their daughter Erin Elizabeth on June 25, 1992. Les was always an avid reader and that was no exception with his girls. Picture books (although Judi will be quick to remind that she was the predominant age 0-1 bedtime reader!), the Thoroughbred book series, Holes, Island of the Blue Dolphins, mysteries galore - anything and everything, he read to them. Camping was his favorite and their summers were filled with sandy and rocky trips to Lakeport State Park until Lauren was 10 and Erin was 5 and Les decided it was TIME for his lake house dream to come to fruition. When he found it, 2846 US 23, Tawas, MI, his heart was connected to that space for the next 20+ years. His girls grew up spending summers in that house, and he spent every spare moment there before retirement and even more after. When his wife retired in 2018, Les and Judi purchased their dream home crazy far away (a block!) and began the process of creating their oasis. Les became the "Mayor of Wolverine" and could always be found either in his garage (puttering, practicing his golf swing, sitting on his chair and watching the neighborhood action), on the water in one of his many chairs, sitting in the gazebo with music & cards, or in the house in his claimed spot, watching his shows, reading everything, listening to music during "cocktail hour" with Judi and talking to all of his people.

Les had many loves in his life, with his first being his beloved wife of 46 years, Judi. His daughters, Lauren and Erin, are his joy and his legacy. His son-in-law Christopher who is such a gift to his family and his daughters rock, and his sweet granddaughter Elaina, who views her Papa as pure sunshine and one of her safest havens. Papa looked forward to every visit with Elaina and his girls in Tawas; he was always waiting patiently to fill his bird feeder so he and Elaina could do it together. Watching him with Elaina was so deeply special and brought out the most tender side of him. Elaina's Papa will forever be immortalized and an integral part of her world. Les had a deep love for so many wonderful things. He was endlessly curious, dedicated to his education as well as to teaching, a true history buff (would read anything related to The Civil War), mysteries, Lake Huron, golf and fishing. Les liked the paranormal, the unknown, the conspiracies. He liked to play cards in the gazebo with the windows wide open and the waves crashing around him. Les loved birds, red cardinals and hummingbirds specifically. He drew red cardinals with the precision of Da Vinci and made a perfect homemade Valentine's Day paper heart. Les adored Bell’s Oberon (#1 fan), beef jerky (especially from Klenow's) and visiting The Bill in Tawas for an Oberon, always with an orange slice. Les was a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions (important to note that he still believed in them for all of their darker years), the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan. Les enjoyed listening to an array of music such as classic rock and classical, with some of his favorites being Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven,” Moody Blues, "Knights in White Satin" and Phantom of the Opera, "Music of the Night." He was the savviest financial guru with his change jar to fund special projects and trips. On any road trip or drive, Les would always choose the "back way," while taking in the beautiful scenery. He enjoyed spending time around a fire, while wearing his copious number of Michigan sweatshirts and rumpled baseball caps, always Lions or Michigan themed, of course.

Reading and sitting and staring at the water was his favorite thing to do. He had chairs that faced every angle of the lake and we'd ask him, “Dad, what are you doing?” And he'd say, "staring, enjoying." And always, when we'd go to leave the lake, he'd say "don’t forget to say goodbye to the lake.” To this day, every time we exit this home, we say goodbye to Lake Huron. Silently in our cars or standing in the yard, just as he taught us. For Erin and Lauren, a favorite core memory is knowing that every time they’d arrive in Tawas, he would be waiting for them. Sometimes on his favorite chair in the garage, and sometimes by the end of the driveway. He’d always make sure to be there early, just in case they got there faster than they’d estimated to him.

Les had many passions and interests, so much love for his family and travel. He learned how to ski in his 50's with his siblings in Beaver Creek, Colorado. He loved his golf weekends with friends, Bay City adventures with his wife, Mackinac Island after the "tourists" left and always, the view of Lake Huron. Les loved his trips across the globe with his family, so many beautiful sibling adventures, and especially loved his last trip with his dad to Scotland. Any small town by water was his favorite and he loved learning the history of each place and exploring. But the most important place to him was Tawas. This was his favorite place, where he felt best and happiest. His joy was boundless. His smile was broad. He loved his birds and his deep fireside chats, his walks with our beloved dog, Jake, who left us in 2021. Les loved his friends, his euchre nights with his neighbors and his frequent corporate meetings with the Board of Directors, i.e. gossiping/debate hour with his next-door-neighbor/dear friend. He was everything to everyone lucky enough to have known him. He is a husband and a father; a brother and a son; a proud grandfather and brother-in-law; a friend and a cousin; a nephew and an uncle. A role model and a humble hero.

Leslie James Perry was the man of the century who hung the moon for us all; just ask the women in his life.

Les leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Judi; daughters Lauren and Erin (son-in-law Christopher); granddaughter Elaina Grace; brothers Chuck and David; and sisters Barb and Linda.

Les was preceded in death by his father Michael Perry, mother Dorothy Perry, brother Donald Perry, and triplet daughters Allison, Nancy and Nicole.

Memorial contributions may be made to The University of Olivet (formerly known as Olivet College) or the American Heart Association in honor of Les.

A visitation for Les will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PMat Hill Funeral Home - 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan. A funeral service will occur Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM, at Hill Funeral Home. Les will be laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, Michigan.