I feel that I was blessed to have known Merle.  He was a man of integrity, love, and humor.  He could brighten anyone's day with his warmth, kindness, and the ever ready joke or quip.  I'm guessing heaven is an even warmer and happier place now that he is there.... Rest in peace Merle

I didn't know Perry as long as most, but for the short 3.5 years I did know him, he truly enhanced my life.  As a neighbor he was always wanting to help out with things. Then he would give me an invoice for services. That was his practical joke side. I got a chuckle when I would call the house and he would answer with some business or other.  He would always have a smile, or a joke. Perry was a great guy and I am really glad that had the chance to get to know him.  Thank you Perry for being the man you were, and for your service.

Merle Perry was my friend.  He was my mentor.  He was a father figure to me and I loved him, he treated me like a son. He always made me laugh and he taught me so much.  He and I spent a lot of time together traveling for work.  We were in many places together throughout our careers. He showed me the house he and his family lived in near Burlington NJ.  I’ve been to his house in Houston he’s been to mine in Tulsa.  I met his family and he met mine. One trip to Sarnia we flew into Detroit and he showed me where he grew up.  My son remembers him and our trip to Houston for his retirement party. Merle called me a couple of days before he died, if I’d have known that was the last time we could talk I would have kept him on the phone longer.  He and I did say what we needed to say way before that.
On 911 we were both In Fontana CA and not with our families.  We went to breakfast with Mike Yates.  We were devastated.  We went to the office to hold a class, we stayed there for a while and decided it would be better if the class went home to be with their families.  Merle and I just stayed together.  The airport was closed but we had a plan to get back home.  We were going to take the rental van back to Houston and I was going to drop him off at his house and then continue on to mine.  Fortunately we didn’t have to do that.  Before we finally got our flight out we stopped at an Air 
Force museum in southern California and that was great. I’ve got the pictures.
As most of you know Merle was quite the practical joker. He and I were in on some  together and those are moments I will always treasure. The others that he did before we did them together he told me of those, and that made me laugh to the point of tears.  When I’d call him he’d answer the phone and say “I thought I told you to never call me here” or “county morgue, you stab ‘em we slab ‘em” or “Joe’s pizza, how can I help you” to name a few.  

Jeanne and family - I spent 35 years of my life knowing Merle.  I will always remember the fun we had and all the antics that may or may not have been thought up in Merle's mind!  I am not telling on him!!!!  The "Debra Caller" he gave me is in my office at home and brings me fond memories.  He loved his family, his work and living life.  I will always remember Merle and the fun all of us shared.  I am so very sorry for his loss in your life and all of us who loved him.  God's blessings to you all.

OBITUARY

Merle John Perry

August 21, 1939 – September 18, 2018

American Heritage Funeral Home

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