Daniel Roy Perry

After a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer, Daniel Roy Perry returned to heaven on 9 March 2013. He now sees God face to face. In this life, he was a most devoted husband, loving father, playful grandfather, loyal friend, and patriot. He was 73 years old.

A native New Mexican, Dan grew up in Ft. Sumner and Albuquerque. He attended New Mexico State University and upon graduation in 1962 was commissioned a US Army officer in the Military Police Corps. He served his country for 27 years as a Cold War and Vietnam warrior, retiring in 1989 at the rank of Colonel.

While at NMSU he met and married the love of his life, Irene Caranta of Monero, New Mexico. The couple moved 23 times during Dan's service. His most prestigious assignment came when, as a Captain, he commanded the United States Army Europe Honor Guard. During this assignment he had the privilege of providing official honors for French President Charles DeGaulle and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Dan and Irene eventually settled in San Antonio where Dan had previously been stationed at Ft. Sam Houston with Fifth Army. After his military retirement, he attended St. Mary's University for a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dan worked at Genesis Counseling Center for eight years before enjoying a second retirement.

For most of his married life Dan and Irene served in the ministry of World Wide Marriage Encounter (WWME). They gave retreats to married couples for more than twenty-seven years, helping them to understand that love is a decision rather than a feeling, a true act of the will. In 1984, they helped formalize World Marriage Day and were instrumental in locating the longest married couple in the United States. In 1997, they helped organize the WWME convention in San Antonio. Both Dan and Irene were Lay Eucharistic Ministers and active members of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio. The couple also actively served in the Church's Retrouvaille movement. In August of 2012 they joyfully celebrated fifty years of marriage. At the reception, Dan still joked with friends and family that if Irene ever left him, he would be sure to follow her. By God's grace he shared his fantastic gift of humor with well-wishers up until he died.

Dan is survived by Irene. His son Alan, daughter-in-law Catherine and granddaughters Olivia and Anna live in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His daughter Cindy Kazala, son-in-law Richard, and grandsons Martin and Daniel reside in San Antonio.

The family will receive friends at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Thursday, 14 March 2013 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

VIGIL AND ROSARY

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

7:00 P.M.

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1602 THOUSAND OAKS

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013

7:45 A.M.

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

Babysitting will be provided for both Thursday and Friday services.

Burial will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Dan will be accorded full military honors.