Edwin Perry Obituary

I was saddened to learn of Mr. Perry's passing. He was always so influential to all and quick to offer an ear to anyone who may need it. I will never forget all the fun times at bandcamp, rehearsals, plays and even in math class. He truly cared for all he came in contact with. My deepest condolences to Bettie and the rest of his family. He will be greatly missed.

Bettie,
I was saddened to hear of Ed's passing. He was a fantastic teacher and a great influence as a friend. I would have never thought of being in a play until "Mr. Perry" thought I should try out. I did and have fond memories of those days. His smile and "HI GUY" would always make my day.
Just last night watching the Wizard of Oz on TV I remarked to my family of my memories playing the Mayor of the Munchkins. 27 years later, I still remember. I will remember Ed for many years to come.
God bless his family and friends.

I will always remember Mr. Perry as he coached me through "Oklahoma", "The Sound of Music","Little Abner", "The Music Man", and "The Wizard of Oz" (of which I was privileged to be the student director). My dearest remembrance, however, was when, as senior Thespian president, Ed asked me to bring the appetizers for the annual banquet of the Thespian club. When I arrived late, with only one plate of appetizers, Ed was very gracious and patiently explained that, in the future, if I was asked to provide appetizers, I should consider factoring at least 3 appetizers per person. Thanks, Mr. Perry, for your love, patience, and guidance.

To the Perry Family,

What a wonderful legacy. My children were fortunate to have Mr. Perry in their lives at Archbold High School. Upon reading his obituatary my, my adult son reflected upon his experiences with him and sorrow at his death.

The children lucky enough to have in him their lives were truly blessed.

I will never forget how great he and his wife looked in their white suits when they were chaperones for the prom!

How wonderful his final chorous was shared with those whom he loved!

May the memories of his life with you all bring a smile to your face and love to your hearts!!

He cared and that pretty much says it all. Always a smile and willing to listen to a students problems. We all lose with his passing.

What does one say about a man who was truly a Gift from God. Not only was he a wonderful teacher and an amazing director at WHS, he cared about his students. I'm sure he had no idea how much his "everyday" smiles, warm comments and genuine concern for others has left lasting impressions on many of us. I can honestly say that Mr. Perry played a very important part in who I am today. Mr. Perry, you will be dearly missed, but always loved.

Truly my favorite and most vivid memories of Mr. Perry are of him standing in front of the stage in the auditorium giving direction to the actors in his big voice, standing on tiptoes with his arm raised so far above his head trying to encourage my alto II voice over the top to the Terrie Skillings high C above middle C soprano, the audible laugh over the entire audience when Paul Tennyson as Ali Hakim almost fumbled me off the stage during our Oklahoma Hello, and teaching us the first rule on stage. . .if you can see them, they can see you.
I will remember Mr. Perry with fondness.
Deepest sympathy to you and your family Bettie.

To the family of Ed Perry,
I am very sad to hear of your loss. I want to join the others in also saying what a wonderful teacher and man he was. I graduated from Wauseon High School in 1979 and had the privilege of participating in many plays and musicals that Mr. Perry directed and was also a part of that first band camp. He encouraged, spurred on, challenged, and mentored many students. I am very thankful that I was one of those students. He truly will be greatly missed. To his dear wife, my prayers are with you.

I was a senior in high school in 1975 and I remember Mr. Perry, his quick wit, and love of the teaching profession. He is one of those rare individuals that makes the teaching profession a way of life, and not just a job along the way. He is truly an inspiration for those of us who knew him just about to retirement around the corner (or like Ed, changing jobs in our way of life) Post Mortem, "Thank you Ed for your committment and love of children. God is honored to have you with him now."

There was no one that attended Wauseon and didn't have Mr. Perry influence them in some way. From band camps to the plays and musicals, Mr. Perry was always involved in our school. His good nature and positive and uplifting attitude always brightened even the dreariest of days. As has been said, our loss is heaven's gain, and a great man has been called home. He will be sorely missed.

Ed was a very special friend to my family. My parents and I were neighbors of his in Wauseon and we did nearly everything together back then. We moved to Florida in 1981, and I have missed him since then, but I knew he was still there. I am so saddened to hear of his passing.

I remember very fondly his big booming voice and his mischevious sense of humor. He was the person I credit most with helping me to learn to come out of my shell and perform. I now am a leader in the music ministry in a large church, something I would never have had the courage to do if he had not taken time with me all of those years ago to encourage me.

I have thought of him often all of these years, and I will miss him all the more now that he is with the Lord. My father is there with him now, and I can truly hear their laughter and joy at seeing one another again.

I am sure Ed has had a huge, enthusiastic welcome over there, from all of the friends he knew, and from Jesus, a man he knew better than most.

With all our love,
Denise (Poorman) Stepp
and Bernice Poorman

As a 1985 graduate from WHS, Mr Ed Perry is one of my fondest memories from my high school years. Between band, classes, and the theater productions, his teaching extended past that of school, but into lessons of life. He showed that love of life made everything worthwhile. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. My condolences, not only to his family, but to the entire community for the loss of such a great and loved man.

As a 1978 grad of WHS, 'Mr. Perry' was indeed a 'one-of-a-kind' teacher, who had very quickly won the respect of many of his students, by showing us HIS caring and respect toward us and our futures. That was no easy feat in the 70's! He was my favorite from the very beginning, and we always stopped to chat whenever we saw each other later in life. Thinking of him brings so many memories. My thoughts and prayers to Bettie and the rest of the family, he will truly be missed. God Bless

What a loss for the Northwest Ohio community. Mr. Perry could brighten your day in an instance with a "Hi Guy!" out of nowhere. He is a major part of the reason why I am where I am today. My oldest son is in 5th grade and is following down the path of his father in his love for the theatre and music, which 25 years ago was harnessed and given vibrant life by Mr. Perry for me. Thank you Mr. Perry, you are missed.

It's hard to think of Mr. Perry and not smile. His laugh was infectious and his joy endless. My life is enriched for having known him.

My thoughts and prayers to the Perry family. "Mr. Perry" will be greatly missed by everyone.

My condolences go out to you. I had Mr. Perry as a teacher at WHS and will forever remember how kind he was. I also had him as a drill team instructor and went to band camp with him. I will never forget the creation story he told around the campfire.
Linda (Tedrow) Husted
Hicksville Ohio

As a 1988 graduate of Wauseon High School, Mr. Perry was one of my favorite teachers. I was in many shows that he directed and even after I graduated and moved away, just seeing Mr. Perry and his big smile was enough to put a smile on my face no matter what was going on in my personal life. He will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers to the family of "Mr. Perry" he was a "one in a million" kind of Teacher, he was the best! Even after being out of school for 13yrs when I would run into him he would greet me with that wonderful smile as if he talked to me every day. I know he will be greatly missed by his family and the many students he touched through his years.

Dear Bettie,
We're saddened to hear of Ed's passing. We hold a lot of fond memories when he lived with us while teaching at New Vienna.

Ed was a hero to all. I was glad that I didn't know what kind of person Ed was when I took over his classroom to teach English in 1993. I would have been scared senseless. No doubt all those who loved Ed loved his "hi guy" welcome. But Ed also gave the greatest life loving hugs that anyone could give. I remember Ed singing, "How Great Thou Art" to himself walking in the high school before a show one evening. How appropriate that will be my everlasting memory of a man who deserved that song to himself. God's great blessings on you Ed Perry. And to you Betty, peace for your heart and soul. Ed will never leave us... anywhere, anytime. Calling on his memory is all we will ever need to send our souls up with his.

Dear Bettie,

My condolences to you with the loss of "Mr. Perry". He was a wonderful teacher and friend and he will be missed by all of his former students.

I'll be thinking of you!

May God's peace be with you Bettie and the rest of your family as we all adjust to Ed not being here with us. Our deep loss, is Christ's gain. Can't wait to hear him in heaven's choir!!

Because of my interest in geneology, I look at obits of any who might fit into our family. As I read this man's, I wished he had been a relative. He certainly lead a life worth living. You were truely blessed to have him in your life.