Bonny Dean Perry

Bonny "Dean" Perry was born to William Charles Perry and Roselie Berniece (Pugh) Perry on November 23, 1929, in rural Haigler, Nebraska. At three years of age Dean went to live with his maternal grandparents Ralph and Lulu Leake. Bonny attended a rural country school outside of Haigler, Nebraska until the 9 ^th grade when he started Haigler High School and went on to graduate with the Haigler High School class of 1948.

Upon graduation on July 15, 1948, Dean enlisted in the United States Navy. After attending basic training and machinery repairman "A" school in San Diego, California Dean was assigned to various ships of the Pacific and Atlantic fleets and saw combat action during the Korean conflict. The ship Dean was aboard suffered substantial damage during the conflict and Dean and other surviving crew members were transferred to another ship to continue their efforts fighting during the Korean conflict earning Dean many combat action medals.

On December 31, 1952, while spending the holidays back home Dean met the love of his life Betty Lou Bigner in Wray, Colorado while attending a New Years Eve dance at the Roseland Ball Room. Dean and Betty would marry on September 6, 1953. To this Union five children were born Kathryn Jeanette, Joyce Ann, Stanley Duane, Deborah Louise and Denise Diane.

In 1956, Dean was ordered to the USS Fulton in New London Connecticut where he served until 1961 with Submarine Squadron 10. In 1961, Dean spent time in Lamar, Colorado at the Naval Recruiting Branch Station. After spending three years in Lamar, he was sent to the Brooklyn Naval shipyard in New York where he served an integral part in the building and outfitting of the USS Duluth, the last naval ship to be built in Brooklyn before the shipyard closed. After the USS Duluth was commissioned in 1966 the USS Duluth with Dean aboard was sent to its new home in San Diego.

In June 1966, Dean moved his family to San Diego where he was stationed. During his time stationed in San Diego and serving aboard the USS Duluth as a machinery repair specialist Dean took part in many tours of duty to Vietnam. Dean spent his last tour of duty as an instructor at the Machinery Repairman ' ^I A & B" school at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. On December 3, 1973, Dean retired from the United States Navy. Dean received many awards and accommodations during his time of service to his country.

After his retirement from The United States Navy Dean and wife Betty moved back to Bet%/s hometown Wray, Colorado. In January 1974 they purchased the La Familia Restaurant. In 1980 both Dean and Betty left Wray once again and during this time they resided in Montana, Texas and Georgia. It was while working in Georgia Dean honed his talents for woodworking and cabinet making.

In 1992 Dean and Betty made their last move and once again moved back to Wray, Colorado to officially retire. During this time Dean enjoyed woodworking and building kitchen cabinets and other special items for his family. There wasn't anything he was afraid to make if you asked. Dean would also take up quilting. He started making double wedding ring quilts for his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Dean also enjoyed summers in the garden.

Dean was an active member of The Nazarene Church of Wray Colorado. Teaching adult and youth bible studies. He also became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4671.

Dean passed away on October 11, 2021, at Holyoke Colorado. Preceding him in death was his parents, Charles and Roselie Perry, father and mother-in-law, Jake and Louise Bigner, beloved grandparents, Ralph and Lulu Leake, daughter, Joyce Ann, granddaughter, Nicole Casados Axt, bothers, Carl, Everet, Robert, Arthur, Elton, Elmer, William Jr, and James Perry, sisters, Bette Knapp and Phyllis Roberts. brothers-in-law, Jake Jr, Carl and John Bigner.

Surviving Dean is his beloved wife, Betty of 68 years, children, Kathy (Tom) Quiggle, Stan Perry, Deborah (Randy) Merritt, Denise (Allen) Zuege, son-in-law, Dean Larson, sister, Mae Sterry, and sister-in-law, Jean Bigner. Grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Srsen, Julie (Donnie) Jones, Stacie (Tim) Eckhardt, Janelle (Brian) Wolfe, Bryon Axt, Brooke Axt, Stephanie (Tyler) Richards, Jared (Erin) Zuege, Erica Axt, Chuck (Sara) Axt, Trevor (Mallory) Zuege, Wade Quiggle, Kendra Quiggle, Erin Axt, Marleah (Joey) Karaway and 35 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Viewing/Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene in Wray, Colorado.

Interment will be held in the Haigler Cemetery in Haigler, Nebraska.

Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 4671 or the Regent Park Nursing Home.

Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.