Palestine High School Alumni Association

09 / 15 / 1940  –  09 / 17 / 2004

Larry Stephen Perry was born September 15, 1940, in Palestine, Texas, son of Clarence A. “Sonny” Perry and Zeffie Ola Williams Perry.

Mr. Perry died September 17, 2004 in Houston.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Gloria M. Valera-Perry; and son, Paul Winson Perry. Larry was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, Tony. He is survived by his sister, Joan Huffman and husband Howard of Palestine; his brother, Charles of Jacksonville, Texas; his brother, David and wife Joanne of Palestine; and his sister, Beth Godwin of Houston. He also is survived by Gloria’s sisters, Dolores Martinez and husband Fernando; Sylvia Crawford and husband Memphis; and Beatriz Valera-Schutz and husband Donald of River Vale, NJ and Lago Vista, Texas.

Larry and Gloria were blessed to have many loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as special friends Richard and Patti Ramie of Jonestown, Texas; Donna and Darrin Koym of Bellville, Texas; and Krista Umberhind-Koch of Farmingdale, Maine.

Larry graduated from Palestine High School in 1959, attended Rice University, and graduated from Texas Tech in 1964. He graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston in December 1977, passed the Texas Bar and set up his practice in July 1978. During the 26 years he worked as a solo practitioner until his death, he served many clients and made many good friends, not the least of which are his colleagues, Stephen Keyser and Gary D. Janssen.

Shortly after their marriage in 1970, Larry and Gloria moved to the Memorial Bend Subdivision where he was active in the Civic Association, serving on the Board of Directors as parliamentarian and president. In 1998, he ran for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, collecting just under 500,000 votes – the largest number of votes ever won by a Libertarian candidate in Texas. During their marriage, Larry and Gloria enjoyed travels throughout Europe and North America.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held in Houston on Thursday at the Courtyard Marriott. Hor’s de houvres will be served. You may make a donation to Houston Hospice, 8811 Gaylord, Houston, Texas, 77024 or you may send flowers to Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine, Texas.

Burial services will be in Palestine, Texas at the City Cemetery on Saturday, September 25 at 11 a.m. Condolence calls will be received at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rogers.

Source: Houston Chronicle 09-22-2004