Michael Perry
May 08, 2008
Michael D. Perry (Mick), 56, of Altoona was welcomed into the Lord’s hands on May 8, 2008.
Mick was a credit manger for The Vernon Company. He was a holy man and loved by many. He was a beloved husband, son and father. He loved to sing, and became the song in many of our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Fern; children, Michael Perry and Julie Spencer, Matthew (Amanda) Perry, Robert (Stephanie) Perry and Jayden Perry; grandchildren, Shane, Taylor, Ethan, Katelynn, Kohlton, Karlie, Kory; and his mother, Beulah.
He was preceded in death by his father Boyd Perry.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th St. SW Altoona, Iowa. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2008 at the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Cross.
Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Fabian Valles sales rep Vernon Puerto Rico
05/12/2008
My condolences to the family
on this lost.
Milagros and Fabian Valles
Puerto Rico
Vernon Sales Rep
Wes Helzer
05/12/2008
Mrs. Perry and Family,
I have been with the Vernon Company for over 10 years and I quickly came to respect Mick on a personal level as well as professionally. In my work experience I have worked with Credit Managers in a large company who seemed to try and find every roadblock possible to prevent a sale, whereas Mick seemed to always try to find ways to accommodate a customers needs while still protecting the Vernon Companys interest. He almost always found a way. While I never met Mick in person, as so many have already said, Mick took an interest in you as a person and it was always a pleasure to talk with him. Somewhere along the way I learned we shared a common faith in God and Jesus as Lord. Then about 2-1/2 years ago something happened in my life and -- by chance -- during a call to Mick the issue became apparent to him and we talked a while about it. It turned out that he, too, was experiencing the same thing in his life and was able to provide me with much advice and encouragement. I feel I have lost one of my best friends. May your grief be assuaged by your knowledge that his healing is complete in the presence of God. My prayer is that you will find comfort and joy as you reflect on the memories of your husband, dad and grandpa.
May God bless you all at this time.
Wes Helzer
Santa Maria, CA
Amber Matteson Customer Service Vernon Company
05/12/2008
Fern & Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I knew Mick for a short time but in that time I have enjoyed working with him and everytime you would see him there would be a smile on his face. He was a very kind and caring person. I feel very honored to have known him and worked with him. He was a very dear friend and he will be missed dearly. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May god bless you and comfort you!
Anonymous
05/12/2008
May God's grace be upon you and lift you up during this difficult time in your lives. I consider myself fortunate to have met Mick and to have spoken with him on the phone from time-to-time. He will be missed.
Frank Ciampaglia
05/12/2008
I am so sorry that Mick has passed on. I only knew him as the guy on the other end of the telephone. I always went to Mick when I needed a favor so I could get an order in for a customer. He was always kind and understanding. Mick returned a call to me that my wife intersepted. She could not get over how nice Mick was during their conversation. But - that was Mick.
I'm sure he will be missed and Evelyn and I will pray for him. I know the Lord will reward him in Heaven.
Bill Wright
05/12/2008
While I never met Mick in person, we had many business telephone conversations in the 10 years I have been with The Vernon Company. Mick was always kind, straightforward and a friend. My sincere condolences are extended to his family. We all have lost a fine individual.
Bill Wright
Dallas, TX
Alison Besch
05/12/2008
Mick's love for his family was evident in every conversation I had with him. Although I have only been with Vernon 2-1/2 years, he was by far my favorite person in the Home Office. Whether I was bemoaning my daughter's paint color choices for her room, or dicussing plans for Thanksgiving company visiting, his mild manner was nearly bursting with expressions of love - be it for the granddaughter or Mother he painted a room for, or the still-close exchange student who would celebrate the holidays as a member of Mick's family.
Considering the sense of loss I feel as a new acquaintance, I can't begin to imagine the empty spot his family feels at this time. The blessing is that there is no doubt he is still with a family he cares about very much, and that is the family of God. His faith was an inspiration, and he never hesitated to give God the glory for every breathing moment.
My heart and prayers are with you. May God hold you in the palm of his hand during this very difficult time.
Alison Besch
Huntsville, AL
Jack Finley
05/12/2008
I first met Mick in 1980 and we hit it off immediately and have been doing business ever since.
He was a perfect gentleman and I will miss his friendship.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sincerely, Jack Finley
Brad Lundquist
05/12/2008
To Fern and Family
I would like to let you know how BLESSED I feel I have been to have had the oppurntity to have worked with and become freinds with such a WONDERFUL Man.
There are hundreds of great things to mention about Mick, but the few that will last with me forever is how incredably unselfish and upbeat he always was. I couldn't ever leave a meeting with Mick without having a smile on my face. Through all of his health issues, he never seemed concerend about himself but instead always inquired on how my family was doings, etc - again such an unselfish and grateful man.
I truly am sorry for your loss, as well as for everyone who had the oppurntuntity to know and or work with Mick.
Loren & JoAnn Prange
05/12/2008
Fern and family, we were saddened by the lose of Mick, We visited many times bout credit things during his career at Vernon and we will miss him dearly. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during these difficyult times. Sincerly. Loren and Joann
TOBY HARTMAN
05/12/2008
I WANTED TO TELL THE FAMILY OF MICK PERRY HOW VERY SORRY I AM! I HAVE HAVE ONLY WORKED FOR THE VERNON COMPANY FOR 5 YEARS AND MICK WAS A GREAT MAN! HE HELPED ME OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS SO GOOD TO TALK TO. I AM GOING TO MISS HIM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Rich Hunt
05/12/2008
Mick was a great man, as you already know, and I will miss him very much. I started at the Vernon Company 4 years ago and Mick approached me and introduced himself and said that if I needed anything just give him a call and I did many times. Many times people say that and it is just lip service, not with Mick, he was truley a man of his word. Mick had such a way about him that just made me feel comfortable and at ease. I give you my deepest condolences.
Sincerely,
Rich Hunt
Nicole VanVleck-Brown
05/12/2008
Dear Fern,
Mick was such a dear man and we will all miss him very much. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Nicole and Erik
Jeff Thomas
05/12/2008
Fern,
I am very sad to hear of Mick's passing. I had the privilege of meeting Mick on 3 different occasions, and of course talking with him almost weekly. Whenever I called to talk to him about something he would always say to me "Mr. Thomas my dear friend" and it would always put a huge smile on my face. When I visited with Mick at the home office it was always one of the highlights of my trip to sit down and talk with him about his family, his church, and his music.
It was always a pleasure to talk with Mick, and I am blessed to have known him. The world was a better place with "my friend Mick" in it, and I'm sure that he is already making many people smile up there in heaven.
God Bless you Mick...you will be missed.
Jeff Thomas
California
Charles Penrose
05/12/2008
Although I never met Mick in person, I considered him a good friend. He was always very helpful to me. I knew him for 17+ years and had many phone and e-mail conversations. May God bless a dear friend - Mick Perry.
Charley