Robert Gene Perry

Dr. Robert “Bob” Perry formerly of Yuma AZ and currently residing in Nutrioso AZ passed away July 27, 2023. Bob was born in Cadiz, KY October 4, 1955. He graduated Salutatorian from Trigg County HS in 1973. He was on the Debate Team , Chess Team,and Student Council at his high school. He attended Western Kentucky University for 3 years where he met his wife Gail. He was accepted into the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine at the end of his junior year. He graduated from the Ohio State University in 1980 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After having accepted a scholarship from the US Army for the last two years of Veterinary School, he served 3 years in the Army at the Yuma Proving Grounds. He ran a clinic on Post and weekly at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. He assisted the Bureau of Land Management with their yearly round ups of wild horses and bighorn sheep.

Upon honorable discharge from the Army he worked at Chaparral Veterinary Clinic, then Fourth Avenue Veterinary Clinic where he purchased the practice from Dr. Bruce Walker in 1986. He practiced at that location until 1995 when he built and opened Ironwood Veterinary Clinic on Avenue B. He practiced there for many years offering quality care to the pets of Yuma. After selling the practice, he worked at the Humane Society of Yuma and then at Desert Veterinary Clinic until his retirement in 2015. Bob was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and served on the Arizona Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for a period of time. During his time on the Board he participated in a group that wrote questions used in the Arizona and California Veterinary Medicine Licensing Exams. He taught an Animal Husbandry Class at AWC for a couple semesters. He was on the Humane Society Board for a period of time.

Aside from a very successful professional life Bob always made time for his family and friends. He was a loving husband and father. He had a dry sense of humor and was very generous to the people he cared about. He enjoyed photography especially underwater photography. He had an adventurous side and enjoyed skydiving, scuba diving, parasailing, and riding through the dunes at top speed or beautiful mountain trails in his Polaris side by side. Of late he had become quite the Pickleball player. He was the consummate handyman and always had one or more projects going on at home. Bob was a brilliant Veterinarian who had a generous spirit and he was a capable businessman who devoted his time and talents to make this world a better place for our little furry friends.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judy Gail (Sullivan) Perry; only son William Joshua Shrader Perry; daughter-in-law Mollie Christine Shrader Perry; grandson Milo Leigh Shrader Perry; all of Costa Mesa, CA and sister JoAnn Perry Smith of Lebanon, TN. His was a life well lived.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 9th, 2023 at 3:00 pm at The Hilton Garden Inn Pivot Point, 310 N. Madison Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresmortuary.net for the Perry family.