John Wesley Perry, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all, returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father in Page, Arizona, on Monday, October 16, at 9:45 Mountain Daylight time. At the time of his death, Wesley was returning from a vacation to visit family with his wife and sweetheart, of 64 years and two of his children.
Born October 29, 1913, in Willard, Utah, J. Wesley was the first of nine children for Lorenzo Dan and Caroline Kunzler Perry. He married his sweetheart, Mary Hugh Jacobson, on October 1, 1936. Wesley and Mary met while both were serving Eastern States missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Always dedicated to the Lord, Wesley became one of the youngest Bishops in the history of the church when, just a few months after his marriage to Mary, he was called at 23 to be bishop of the Willard Ward. He served faithfully in this capacity for six years. Following his release as Bishop he was called almost immediately to the position of High Councilor, a position he fulfilled for more than 13 years. Wesley also served in many teaching and auxiliary positions. His life was one of service to his church, his wife, his children and to his community. Wesley served for numerous years as Willard City Councilman and as watermaster.
Farming was Wesley's life. He and his family owned and operated Willard's first fruitstand, beginning their business at a very early age from a little red wagon. Until his retirement at age 85, Wesley energetically cared for his orchards, rotation crop farm, dairy farm, his chickens and other farm animals. Mary and Wesley opened up their home to seasonal workers, many who remained for many years and most of which became lifelong friends.
His farm took up so much of his time that Wesley had little time for fun but his children will never forget their wonderful Christmases. Wesley's greatest joy was in seeing the expressions of delight on Christmas morning. In his later years Wesley and his family enjoyed non-traditional games of Rook where Rules were for the birds and everything went.
Wesley is preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Dan Perry, his mother, Caroline Kunzler Perry; sisters, Ida Perry Young and Lena Perry Hubbard; a brother, Elmer; and three children, Marilyn Letty, Brent Wayne, and (Buddy) Hugh Jacobson Perry; and two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his children, Carolyn (Perry) Fife, John Wesley Jr., Bruce, Mary Catherine (Perry) Wilson, Almeda Camille (Perry) Clontz, Evan Lane, and Brinton Eugene Perry; and four sisters and one brother, Barbara (Perry) Larkin, Ellenor (Perry) Peterson, Ellen (Perry) Hunsaker Peterson, Ruth (Perry) Spackman, and L. Dan Perry. The posterity of Wesley and Mary includes 28 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Viewing will take place at Peterson Funeral Home, 634 East 200 South, Brigham City, on Friday, October 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the Willard Ward Chapel, 80 North 100 West, on Saturday, October 21, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. October 21 in the Willard Ward Chapel with interment following at the Willard Cemetery.