Theodore "Ted" Sonne Perry

Theodore Sonne Perry was born on January 28, 1926, to Leslie Thomas Perry and Elsie Nora Sonne in Logan, Utah. Even as a child he demonstrated a keen intellect. He learned to read in kindergarten, so on the first day of class his first-grade teacher promoted him to second grade. As a result, he graduated from Logan High School at age 17. Like the rest of his class, he immediately went into military service during World War II. As a quartermaster in the navy, he manned the wheel of a naval attack transport ship that survived nine island invasions and two typhoons. On at least one occasion his mother was erroneously informed that his ship had been lost at sea.
At the end of World War II, he was called to serve a mission in the East Central States Mission. While there he served a large part of his mission without a companion as a supervising elder. After his mission he attended Utah State University and then he was accepted to study physics at the University of California at Berkeley. In California he couldn’t forget a girl he had met during his last quarter at Utah State. Giving up on a career in physics, he returned to Utah and married Jean James Pearce on January 20, 1950, in the Salt Lake Temple. Ted then began the study of law at the University of Utah and graduated at the top of his law school class.
He began work as an attorney writing government contracts. He worked at the Oakland Quartermaster Depot, Utah General Depot, Hill Air Force Base, Thiokol Corporation, and Hercules Powder Corporation. Leaving government work he worked with his father who was also an attorney. While in private practice, Ted was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States to try a case concerning the distinction between a federally chartered bank and a state chartered bank. Being recruited back into public service he became city attorney for Logan, Utah. Changes in the government of Logan City resulted in Ted being appointed mayor of Logan. As mayor he built a new fire station, a new police station, and a new court room. After his term as mayor, he served as Circuit Court Judge in Utah’s First District from 1978 to 1988. During his career he also served as a Bank Director and a Hospital Board Member.
Ted always considered his work as a father more important than his professional career. He constantly admonished his children to pursue higher education. His children followed his advice and include: Theodore Sonne Perry, Ph.D.; Nora Lyn Perry Bair, BSN, MBA; John Christian Perry, M.D.; Jan Perry Malmberg, Juris Doctor; David Mark Perry, Juris Doctor; Robert Dean Perry, BS, M.Ed.
Ted has always been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has had many church assignments such as bishop, high councilor, and especially as Patriarch for over 30 years. During the last years of his life one of his favorite places to be was in the temple. He will be sorely missed by his family, but they trust that he is enjoying a joyful reunion with his wife who preceded him in death on October 22, 2013.
Ted passed away on February 20th 2023 at age 97. He is survived by his children Ted (Kathy) Perry, Lyn (Ralph) Bair, Chris Perry, Jan (Lynn) Malmberg, David (Michelle) Perry, and Robert (Cindy) Perry. All of Ted’s children married in the Temple and counting spouses, his posterity now numbers over a hundred.
Funeral Services will be held at the North Logan 2nd Ward located at 1105 East 2100 North in North Logan, Utah on Thursday, March 2nd at 12:00 PM. A viewing will be held at the North Logan 2nd Ward on Thursday, March 2nd from 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery with Military Honors. Services will be livestreamed and may be viewed online, as well as condolences expressed, at www.allenmortuaries.net .
To watch services live CLICK HERE