Happy Birthday Dad!

Here are my thoughts (I know, I know - you're all thinking, "FINALLY!').

I have so many memories of Dad. These are the ones that stick out the most to me when in nostalgic moods. Here goes nothing – ichi, ni, san!

Even as a little boy I remember having respect for Dad knowing that he acted the way a father should. He included me in scouting trips even though I was really young and probably a pest. He worked an extra job at Christmas one year to make sure we had a good holiday. He would let me help him set up and light the fireworks for the 4^th of July.

We never lacked for fun activities. Throughout the years I remember hiking through the woods picking berries, having campfires on the beach at the cabin – roasting marshmallows. Dad always made sure his were well done. Going skiing with him was always a highlight and it was always fun to watch him ski – he’s so good at it! I remember him growing a beard a couple times and thinking, “I hope I can grow a thick beard like that when I am older.”

I’ve always admired/envied his physical prowess. Mom’s family would have him walk around on his hands when we would go down to Arizona to visit. He would do aerials off the diving board into the pool. We visited BYU and it was fun to see his focus go inward as he reminisced about the gymnastics team there. And I can’t forget the classic song Row, Row, Row Your Boat as he would sing and flex various muscles in his upper body to the beat.

I watched as he served in the church faithfully. He was always willing and worthy to give blessings. He spoke about his mission – I love the story about his companion that would always fall asleep while knelt during the prayer and how he left him that way one night. He was supportive and reserved outward judgment even when my choices left something to be desired and did his best financially to support me when I fell short of doing so myself.

I admire his desire to learn new skills (which enabled me to pick some of them up) and try to emulate this in my life. I remember him taking piano lessons for a while after most of us kids were already skilled in that way. I would help him as he finished basements, lay sod, put in a mud room, improvised a tree swing, composted and gardened, and tended the yard.

He is the funny daring leader, who points out scenery with his middle finger while driving up a mountain, who owns Japanese shoes that fit his feet like a glove (and would let us wear them!), who calls milk gyunyu, buys antique cars on a whim, loves showing us his slides, and does finances on a card table while watching a movie.

But, he is still wonderfully human. He experiences fear and grief in the face of tragedy, but hides disappointment when turned down to go on a walk. He can get angry with unruly children yet kisses those same children before bed each night and while tucking them in utters the Japanese phrase, “Oya suminasai,” bouncing them at the same time. He sometimes plays games against his will then treats us all to ice cream a little later.

I have his name and have passed on his name to my son in honor of him and his father who raised him. I hope to live up to this name and continue the legacy of honesty and integrity.

-Thomas Charles Perry

A Spiritual Memory from Marisha

One time my family and I were snowed in our home in Washington State and church was canceled. Mom, Dad, my brother and I (all of us that were living at home) held our own Sacrament meeting. Dad and my brother blessed and passed the Sacrament to us. That was a special memory for me. I want to marry someone with the same values that Dad has. He is a worthy Priesthood holder and he continues to grow spiritually. He goes the extra mile and is anxiously engaged in learning and applying the gospel. I am trying to be more like that and I will one day marry a worthy Priesthood holder that can do that very same thing. If we are snowed in, that he wants to hold our own Sacrament meeting. It sounds like a little thing, but it’s not. It was special and significant to me.

James' Fav Memory

"One of my favorite and not well known stories with dad is as follows:

When I was playing indoor soccer in 3rd or 4th grade I had a great day with dad. I went out in the morning early with some of the big kids and helped do the paper route. At the end of running around throwing paper at peoples doors; we concluded our escapade with a big slurpee and a maple frosted doughnut. It was a saturday and a busy day as always.

We came home and I changed for Soccer practise/ pictures.

Dad and I went together. The day was chilly but we dressed warm so that the air was fresh.

We joked as we talked about the other people and we tried to survey their soccer potential.

I remmeber us being in some kind of warehouse with carpet for some reason I dont know why. Near Kennewick High School.

We waited in line for pictures I don't remmeber what exactly we talked about or said I just knew that I was with my Dad alone we were having fun and I had him all to myself. I loved my father and I saw other kids who came to a sports event with their mom. I thought their dad's must have been busy. I even saw one of them crying; I didn't know why and it didn't matter I was comfortible full of confidence.

We talked about how I should pose for the pictures what would be the most funny. We decided that I would greet the camera with my biggest widdest smile. (At this time you can remember that I had to practise smiling small; because my mouth was very wide. So we thought in utter contrast it would be hilarious) I asked if we were actually going to buy a picture that I was going to be funny in. He said do you want us to buy it? I shrugged my shoulders. Pretty soon we were talking pictures with the team. A team I hadn't met yet. I remember adjusting my CTR ring for the camera and giving the widest smile I could all the while laughing inside; (im so funny) Dad ended up buying the picture; I was surprised when I received it because I didnt think we would have enough money to buy a silly picture for me just for a soccer team. I remember mom mentioning that those pictures were "expensive" Weeks later when they arrived I felt bad that they had spent money on it, but a few moments later I went over in my mind of the great day I had spent with my father and the feeling I had of how great that day was took away my guilt of wasted money.

I thought to myself I deserve this picture, my day with my dad. I still have the picture still in its specialized frame, I would oft times glance at the lines of gold and relive the day over again. My day with my dad."

-Elder James R Perry

Ashley's memories

Ashley’s Memories

Even though I have been in the family less than the rest of you I still have some fond/amusing memories of Tom so here they are.
1. When TC told his Dad that he was dating a girl named Ashley Lake, he replied “I used to swim in Ashley Lake.” Then when we went to Montana for the first time after we were married he was so excited to take us to see “Ashley Lake.” We had to take pictures in front of the sign that said “Ashley Lake” and we had to walk around “Ashley Lake”. It was funny.
2. I love how Tom is so comfortable with the roads in Montana he drives a bit faster than normal. This was especially apparent when we went to Glacier National Park and he was driving rather fast I thought as we rounded the bends of the steep cliffs. Then he proceeded to take his hand off the wheel to point out sights while he was eating a doughnut from his other hand. TC is scared of heights and had his eyes closed the majority of the time. I am glad we made it out alive! Just kidding
3. I remember last summer Tom took Susan, John, and I on a boat ride to see the sights around Swan Lake. It was all fun until Tom scraped his boat on the bottom. He was not too upset about it until Susan started teasing him about it and then he looked at her and said, “I don’t think it’s very funny Susan.” I thought it was a bit funny though to see the little sibling squabble.
4. How can I forget all the crazy boat rides Tom has taken us on? I think when we put our thumb down for him to go slower he often does the opposite (just kidding). I will never forget last summer seeing Janna Kay fly off the tube after reluctantly agreeing to go for a ride.
5. I of course can also not forget the fire that Tom started on the side of the interstate on the way to Washington after a trip to Montana. TC and I had gone to Washington for a visit so we were there to witness Tom coming in and announcing to TC’s mom, “Is dinner ready? I am quite hungry. Starting fires works up my appetite.”
6. I also will always remember Tom getting his “Ice CREAM” every night (emphasis on the CREAM)
7. I have witnessed Tom fall asleep on a number of occasions many of which are in the middle of the day. One time Kristin and I saw him nod off during Sunday School while in Washington along with sitting listening the the missionaries give Stephen the discussions. Quite hilarious!
8. I will not forget how hard it was to sleep in Montana on occasions because of the loud snoring. It was sad when Tom decided to sleep in the wood shed so I could sleep. I thought it was very kind of him though nonetheless!
9. I am sure there are more I could think of but the memory that stands out the most in my mind is at Savanna’s baby blessing. I had gotten up and bore my testimony and mentioned in there that sometimes I wonder if I am a good mother. Tom also bore his testimony and looked at me during it and said, “Yes Ashley you are a wonderful mother.” I will never forget that. It was wonderful to have that reassurance from someone who is an important part of our lives.
Happy 60th Birthday Tom! I am grateful to have you as a father in law and hope our little Clark who is named after you will follow your example of a wonderful priesthood holder and father!

Responses by Lexi

Grandpa's favorite color is yellow. He lost his hair by getting a bad haircut. He loves diamonds and M&Ms. When he was a kid he really loved to ride a little bike. My favorite thing to do with Grandpa hugging him.

Kaytlin said Grandpa's favorite thing to do is play doll house with her.

Kristin's memories

Here's part of an email I sent to Dad a year or two ago. Memories of/with Dad:

(you can edit and take out stuff about Lexi)

tucking us in bed at night (we now do that with lexi)

laying on a mattress outside watching the shooting stars one night

FHE - you teaching us all kinds of stretches

"I am a child of God" being your song choice every FHE :o)

Father's blessings right before a school year

kneeling on your back for family prayer

if we didn't say thank you, you would say "what do you say?"

countless hikes - glacier nat'l park, hall lake, homestead, etc

carrying me to bed after watching a movie as a family and i was too tired to go to bed on my own

doing yard work together

helping me with school papers

buying me parakeets, later the kittens

watching you play with twinkle toes

watching you play with lexi

listening to stories - from growing up, to gymnastics, to whatever

going sky diving together

taking us snow skiing, water skiing, to silverwood, disneyland, etc

enjoying "one small scoop" of icecream together

opening my byu acceptance letter in the same room as you. i acted all cool and watched you get all excited about it

always giving me hugs, a kiss on the cheek and saying i love you!

Day of Party?

Let's decide on the day for Dad's Birthday Party in Utah.