Stanley Perry

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this note. Stanley J. Perry died from a 4 year courageous battle with prostate cancer, on Tuesday 22nd November, at the age of 83 in Salem, Oregon. Stan passed away comfortably in the arms of his wife.

Stan’s life begins in 1939 on 7th March in Malone, New York to his parents (Bernice & Floyd). He joined his oldest & only sibling, Theresa Torelli (deceased). He worked after classes cleaning classrooms so family would receive government welfare. Stan & his friends were always off all year long playing baseball. They were so fortune & delighted to play with the N.Y. Yankees at summer camp. Stan joined the American Rifle Association where he received a Marksman Award. Stan had an evening job setting up pins at local bowling alley. On slow nights he began practicing the game & became an expert. Stan found it a good way to join leagues, win funds to help his grandmother & have a little spending money. He graduated from high school at Franklin Academy in 1958. Stan always stayed in contact with friends from the French Hill Gang & friends from Franklin Academy.

Stan enlisted the Army to serve the country & obtain a trade or college degree. In September 1959 Stan's assignment post basic training & Military Police School was Ft Campbell, Kentucky with 101st Airborne. Their mission was to protect nuclear weapons & prepare to invade Cuba. Stan was particular about his starched uniform & spit shined his boots. He was honored to be a member of Gen. Westmoreland’s Honor Guard. Stan had no shortage of words speaking the truth & sharing his opinions with enlisted & officers. It didn’t go well with some. Consequently, he became talented at peeling potatoes plus lost rank. After 3 years enlistment he relocated to Amsterdam N. Y. area where he meet & fell in love with Patricia Gail Flannagan. In July 1963 they married. Stan passed all the military tests & basic training again to reenter the Army. In 1964 he began training at the Helicopter Aviation Program in Mineral Wells, Texas. November 1965, Stan was awarded Warrant Officer W-1 diploma at Ft Rucker, Alabama as Rotary Wing Aviator. Stan spent two years in Vietnam with 116th Assault Helicopter Co. in 1965 & 120th Assault Aviation Co. in 1968. Stan won several medals for valor including Purple Heart & Distinguished Flying Cross. On his days off he would take medical staff into the mountains to care for the patients at the leprosy colony. Gen. Mildred recommended Stan for a Direct Commission to lieutenant. Stan attended Armor School in Ft Knox, Kentucky in 1970. Then began as Commander of Charlie 13-4 whose mission was to train new recruits. Stan’s next duty was Assistant to Brigade Commander as S-3 in planning training. Spring of 1974 Stan completed Military Police School. From 1974-1975 Capt. Perry served as Physical Security Officer with U.S. Military Assistance Command Thailand/Joint U.S. Advisory Group. Where he was awarded Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1975 Capt Perry was assigned to U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Stan’s initial assignment was in charge of 2 cell blocks of prisoners & later became a Parole Officer for both Army & Marine Corps in the U.S. July 1978 Stan received Meritorious Service Award for his superior leadership, managerial expertise & close working relationship with Federal Parole Officers. In May 1978 Major Perry’s last assignment was at at Pueblo Army Chemical Depot in Pueblo, Colorado as Provost Marshall. Stan graduated from Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. in 1979 with Master of Administration of Justice Degree. He received the Meritorious Service Medal(First Oak Leaf Cluster) for his planning & installation of physical security program that resulted in best results in security in history of Depot. Stan retired from Armed Forces of America with an honorable discharge from the Army in November 1981.

In 1982 Stan began a new career as Counselor at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem & retired after 18 years. He helped developed the Veterans Club during his tenure. Stan enjoyed his retirement traveling especially on the Alaskan Cruise. 7 trips later he had visited all the historical areas, watched wildlife & loved the scenery. Stan joined the DNR Walking Team & participated in the Portland to Coast Relay for 16 years. He hated the 7.5 mile nighttime winding trail on the mountain. The goal was to have a 12 minute/ mile pace & not lose any toe nails. He did accomplish the pace but not second goal. If he found someone struggling, he always slowed down & mentored them along. It was always about having fun & team work. He did the Disney Marathon with the group. He had the best time traveling through all the areas playing with the animals who were spread out along the route. On one of the Ireland trips he did the Dublin Marathon. Intermittently he ran with an Irish Military Company. The Irishmen stopped at the pubs for a free Guinness on the route while Stan took photos of the historical route from Trinity College to Phoenix Park. There was a lot of Blarney shared along the grueling 26.2 miles. Another passion was volunteering at 2 local rehab & animal shelters. One of his great loves was caring for the raptors. Turkey Vulture would pick up the rake & try to fly off with it. Not sure she was the best assistant. A gyrfalcon took a liking to his hat. She never damaged it or him. It was just a fun game to steal it. The osprey was his favorite who would screech loudly to greet him from her aviary as soon as he parked the car. She would allow him to pick her up & even untangle her talons from netting. Wildlife felt his caring & kindness. Stan’s buddy at home was Nasdaq, his Severe Macaw for 22 years. Wildlife knew what a caring & kind person he was. Stan’s motto throughout life was “To do 2 things at once is to do neither.”

Stan is survived by his wife Patricia Gail, Stanley, Robbin Sessions & Scott, his 3 grandchildren, Amanda Peck (deceased), Nathan, and Stanley III, & 2 great grandchildren, Zane Peck & Connor.

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A military service ceremony will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Salem Friends of Felines at 4157 Cherry Ave NE, Keizer, OR 97303 in Stan’s name.