James F. Perry

America has lost one of her heroes. Our father, Lt. Col. James F. Perry, Sr., U. S. Army (Ret), 92, of Bettendorf, Iowa, was summoned home to be with the Lord on Good Friday, April 18, 2014. A celebration of his life will take place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23. 2014, with The Reverend Christopher Neuendorf officiating. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, where Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Visitation will be at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, Illinois, on Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Davenport.

Dad was born on May 29, 1921, in Louisville, Illinois, to Mary and Raleigh Perry. His father was a veteran of WWI. Dad had two brothers, Earl and Elbert "Bud" Perry. Earl was a retired U.S. Marine who served in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Bud retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Our father was a U.S. Army infantry officer who served in WWII and the Korean War. During WWII, he helped with the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, Germany. Dad saw combat action early during the Korean War while serving in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. He and his men ran the gauntlet at Kuni-Ri in 20 below zero weather. During his 18 months in combat in Korea, he was awarded two Silver Star medals, two Bronze Star medals, two Purple Hearts, along with Korean War service medals. He was also awarded his second Combat Infantry badge during the Korean War. Our father retired from the Army in 1963, at Ft. Carson, Colorado.

In 1965, he moved his family to the Quad City area and began a second career at the Rock Island Arsenal for the Department of Army Materiel and Readiness Command. In his position, he managed combat engineer ammunition world-wide. He retired from federal service at the Rock Island Arsenal in January, 1991. During this time frame, he also worked as a night produce manager at National Food Store in Bettendorf.

Dad was a faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Davenport, for more than 40 years. He held numerous positions while a member and served as head elder of the church for many terms. Dad was all about serving others, as he truly loved his fellow man. He enjoyed the outdoors and nature, spending countless hours planting and cultivating many gardens. Our father will be especially missed by his numerous friends and family. He never met a stranger.

He is survived by five children and spouses, James and Linda Perry, Jr., of Port Byron, Illinois, Libby and Mark Winzeler of Dover, New Hampshire, Catherine Perry of Bettendorf, R.J. and Elizabeth Perry of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Carolyn Perry of Bladenboro, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Cheryl Perry-Usilton and her husband Jason Usilton, Rachel Lemeaux, Zachary Stone, Alexis Hunt, and Elizabeth Nelson; and one great grandson, Tony Perry.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

The family would like to thank Bettendorf Health Care Center, Cardiovascular Medicine, Davenport, and the Heart Unit at Genesis Hospital, East Campus, for the wonderful care they provided our father. We are fortunate to have such skilled professionals serving our community.

Jim's family invites friends to share stories and condolences and light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.