Jean P. Perry

On Oct. 22, 2013, history records the death of one of the few remaining children of pioneer parents. Jean James Pearce Perry was the daughter of Charles Pearce, who came to Utah with the William Preston Pioneer Company in 1863. Her father was nearly 70 when she was born, on July 25, 1929, and he lived for six years and taught Jean pioneer standards. She also learned the duties of a pioneer wife and mother from her mother, Isabella James Pearce, whose mother came to Utah in the Daniel MacArthur handcart company of 1863.
The first duty of pioneers was to make sure their children utilized the talents acquired in the spirit world. As a result, Jean made certain her six children received advanced college degrees: Theodore Sonne Perry, Ph.D. from Princeton; Nora Lyn Perry Bair, four year nursing degree from Weber, M.B.A. degree from Utah State; John Christian Perry, M.D. degree from University of Utah; Jan Perry Malmberg and David Mark Perry, Juris Doctor from BYU, and Robert Dean Perry, Master's Degree in Education from Utah State. Her children married in the Temple and are the parents of 32 children, five of whom have already earned their doctor degrees.
Jean has also been blessed with nine great-grandchildren and five on the way. Jean has also been a help to and devoted to her husband, Theodore Sonne Perry, whom she married in the Salt Lake Temple on Jan. 20, 1950 (they claimed their marriage was planned by Jean's father and Ted's grandmother as they came to Cache County in the same pioneer company). Theodore held such occupations as lawyer, mayor, city and county attorney, bank director, hospital board and circuit judge, and church assignments as bishop, high councilor, and especially as Patriarch for 30 years, in which she was told and obeyed the instruction that the Spirit must always be present in a Patriarch's home. Jean served faithfully in the Church as teacher in Sunday School, Primary, and Mutual, as a Cub Scout leader, librarian, ward historian and monthly spiritual message writer for the ward newsletter. She was an active member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers for 26 years and served in nearly all the various offices.
Jean will be sorely missed by her family and friends, as she had the ability to talk with almost anyone who had problems and overcome their depressed feelings and allow them to depart from her with a happy feeling.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan. Services will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Northwood Ward Chapel at 500 N. 100 East in Logan, and friends may call two hours prior to the services at the Relief Society room in the Chapel.