Thomas John Perry

Thomas John Perry September 27, 1957 - October 7, 2024 Tom, our loving father, brother, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2024. A fall and brain injury put him in the hospital 18 days prior. The amazing efforts of his coworkers, the paramedics, hospital nurses and doctors, and his family and friends all gave him hope to live. We enjoyed his 67th birthday in the hospital and experienced days of laughter, love and friendship- the antidote for our fears. But the book of life closed. We should all remember his joyous character and amazing life. He graduated from Minneapolis North High School, Golden Valley Lutheran College, the University of Minnesota, and Augsburg College Graduate Program. Born and raised in North Minneapolis, he followed in his father's footsteps as a great Polar athlete, earning letters and honors in Football, Basketball and Baseball. He played again at Golden Valley Lutheran College, and at the University of Minnesota. He was never the biggest or tallest - just the most determined, the quickest and best. You couldn't beat him at a game of scrabble or chess. Seven letter words were his specialty. He was a marathon runner, cyclist, canoe racer and triathlete. He ran to the top of Pikes Peak and completed the Border-to-Border triathlon from Iowa to Canada with his brother several times. He loved professional and team sports, canoe trips, fishing adventures with his life-long friends and the "lake life". So much so, he maintained his lakeshore home in Little Canada for over 30 years. He passed away wishing to get back to his lake - he told his doctors "I'm living the dream!" The haunting, awesome roar of ice breaking up on the lake in spring was earth day hallelujah for Tom. He loved public-school teaching, coaching and all his students. After a short attempt at retirement, he went back to teaching. His style was honed working in park and recreation, camp counseling and coaching youth teams. He greatly loved his son Tyler (and was his biggest fan), his extended family and friends. He was so cheerful, full of energy, fun-loving and morale boosting. This spirit was always there, especially in his own times of adversity. In Finnish lore we call this the spirit of SISU. Tom's memory will be cherished by his son Tyler, brother Doug (Karen), many nieces, nephews, extended family and life-long friends and he is reunited with his parents Marcella and Ernest Perry and his sister Sue George. We invite all to come to the memorial service and celebrate his life at Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel, 5125 W Broadway, Crystal, MN 55429 on Monday October 14th, 2024. Visitation from 4:00 - 5:00PM, memorial service at 5:00PM followed by a "tailgate party" and celebration of his life at the chapel.

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Thomas John Perry

September 27, 1957 - October 7, 2024

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