Kenneth Burl Perrin

Kenneth B. Perrin died October 1, 2024, at his home in Corona De Tucson, AZ. Mr. Perrin was born June 21, 1941, at the family farm near Gregory, SD, and was mainly raised by his grandparents. He lived there until moving to Denver, CO., after graduating from Burke High School. Kenn earned his A&P License in Denver and was involved with aircraft his whole working career, not only as a mechanic but as a private pilot. He owned and rebuilt various airplanes of his own and loved to fly.

He and Nell Turgeon married in 1959, and they had a daughter, Cherie Ann.

Kenn started his aircraft career with Westcoast Airlines in Seattle, later moving to Minneapolis with Northwest Airlines.

During the Vietnam War he was in Southeast Asia, working for the CIA for 4 long, difficult years. At the end of the war, he and Nell relocated to Saudi Arabia where he was employed by Aramco Oil Company for another 4 years, before returning to the US, where he and Nell divorced.

Later, he ran a fixed airport operation near Yakima, WA for several years. In July 1981 he and Anne Joeri Baldwin were married. They moved to Seattle where he taught at South Seattle Community College. Kenn’s affiliation with Continental Airlines began in Seattle, then he accepted a promotion to Tucson in 1986. He and his wife moved to Tucson and maintained their home there, even though Kenn was later promoted again this time to Houston with Continental. He chose to commute to Houston for over 12 years until his retirement in 2000.

Kenn leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Anne Joeri, along with his daughter Cherie, her husband Ty and their daughter Kaitlyn and son Tyler of Yakima and his Stepson Barron Balwin (wife Marci) and his 2 children, Stepdaughters, Brooks and her 2 daughters, and Kimberly (husband, Todd) all of Seattle. Kenn’s sister-in-law Gabrielle Arvig of Los Angeles also survives, as well as his former wife. Kenn’s parents and sister Careen preceded him in death.

Kenn was a dedicated worker his whole life, probably because, growing up on the farm in South Dakota, he learned extremely good work habits and applied them to everything he did. He could fix nearly anything, not to mention design and build wonderful creations, including a beautiful huge built-in bookcase and, later, a complete new kitchen in their home.

He became an artisan after retirement and showed his handiwork at various crafts shows. He and his wife also enjoyed traveling, not only all around the US and Canada in their RV, but to many parts of the world, including Hong Kong, Europe, Italy, Africa, Hawaii, The Bahamas, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Guam, Alaska, and other such places. Several months of most summers were spent at the family farm in South Dakota where he grew up and later inherited.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at Woundedwarrierproject.org would be very much appreciated.