[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8096]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSEPH RAY PERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2017

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
life and memory of Joseph Ray Perry, a beloved Texan, World War II 
veteran, and father of Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. Ray passed away 
on April 27, 2017, at the age of 92.
  Ray was a man of faith and country. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. 
Army, and over the next two years flew 35 combat missions as a tail 
gunner for the B17 bomber, Heavy Date. He was the last surviving member 
of the plane's crew. By the time he left the service in 1945, Ray had 
earned numerous awards, including the Air Medal, World War II Victory 
badge, Sharpshooters badge, and the Aerial Gunnery badge. Mr. Perry was 
part of the greatest generation who answered the call of duty and 
defended our flag during a time of considerable need. The legacy of the 
greatest generation will stand the test of time as it helped shape the 
freedoms we enjoy today. He was a west Texas farmer at heart and the 
Lone Star State was lucky to have him.
  After the war, Ray moved back to Texas and operated a farm near rural 
Paint Creek, a small town just north of Abilene. He was an active 
member of his community, a loving husband, a dedicated father, 
grandfather and great-grandfather. Ray was a quiet but influential man 
and a strong moral compass for all that knew him. He was elected 
Haskell County Precinct 3 commissioner in 1968, a position he held for 
nearly three decades. Mr. Perry also served on the Paint Creek school 
board for 10 years and on the West Texas Council of Governments for 6 
years, during which time he helped organize the Paint Creek Water 
Supply Corp.
  While we mourn the loss of Ray, we are grateful for his example of a 
life well lived, guided by the values of family and service.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Joseph Ray Perry. I ask 
all my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of 
Ray and in sending their thoughts and prayers to the Perry family.

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