Oscar Perry

Oscar Perry, 88, a resident of Las Vegas, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. He was born June 28, 1923 in Fresno, Calif., and the son of Nettie and George Perry. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II attached to the 5th Air Forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 1942 until 1945. He was an aircraft mechanic and worked on B-25 Mitchells and B-24 Liberators. He served with the 8th Air Service Squadron as it moved from island to island throughout the south pacific. His awards include two Presidential Unit Citations, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal. In addition, he received several foreign awards for his participation in the liberation of the Philippines including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Liberation Medal. Following demobilization and release from active duty, he returned to farming in Porterville, Calif. He owned and worked his own farm. He relocated to Las Vegas in 1988, where he married Betty Roper, a Las Vegas school teacher. Although retired, he volunteered and worked with Betty in her classroom at J.E. Manch Elementary School for many years. In 1992 he received the "Straight from the Hart" Award as "Campus Grandpa" for his volunteer service. He was a wonderful husband to Betty; a giving stepfather to Barbara (Jay) Roberts, Pam (Mike) Hardin and Shirley Lindsey; a truly caring grandfather to Robby, Kyle, Tass, Chad and Mikie; and finally, a very loving great-grandfather to 15 children. A service with military honors will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 2, at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. For those wishing to do so, a donation in Oscar's name may be made to the American Legion.

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