SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 860 In Memory of Joseph Ray Perry WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Joseph Ray Perry, who died April 27, 2017, at the age of 92; and WHEREAS, Ray Perry was an exemplary citizen and a hardworking West Texas farmer who loved his land and was dedicated to serving his community; and WHEREAS, He was born on April 23, 1925, in the Haskell County community of Paint Creek to Hoyt and Thelma Perry; a lifelong resident of Haskell County, he served the nation with distinction in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II; he flew 35 missions over Nazi Germany as a tail gunner in B-17 bombers, and he was awarded multiple medals for his exemplary service; and WHEREAS, He married Amelia June Holt at the Haskell Methodist Church on June 29, 1948, and the couple enjoyed nearly 70 years of marriage together; they raised two children, Milla Perry Jones and James Richard "Rick" Perry, and they were blessed with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, In addition to working his land, Ray Perry was active in a wide range of political and community endeavors; he served for nearly 30 years as a Haskell County commissioner and for 10 years as a member of the Paint Creek school board; he served for six years on the West Central Texas Council of Governments, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Paint Creek Water Corporation and twice served as its president; and WHEREAS, An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he was known for his numerous wild game trophies; one of the highlights of his hunting trips was killing an Alaskan first-class caribou that has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records; and WHEREAS, Ray Perry was a man of courage, faith, and patriotism; he gave unselfishly to others and to his community, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be forgotten by those who were privileged to share in his life; and WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Joseph Ray Perry; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joseph Ray Perry. Perry Bettencourt Hinojosa Rodríguez Bettencourt Hinojosa Rodríguez Bettencourt Hinojosa Rodríguez Birdwell Huffines Schwertner Birdwell Huffines Schwertner Birdwell Huffines Schwertner Buckingham Huffman Seliger Buckingham Huffman Seliger Buckingham Huffman Seliger Burton Hughes Taylor of Collin Burton Hughes Taylor of Collin Burton Hughes Taylor of Collin Campbell Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston Campbell Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston Campbell Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston Creighton Lucio Uresti Creighton Lucio Uresti Creighton Lucio Uresti Estes Menéndez Watson Estes Menéndez Watson Estes Menéndez Watson Garcia Miles West Garcia Miles West Garcia Miles West Hall Nelson Whitmire Hall Nelson Whitmire Hall Nelson Whitmire Hancock Nichols Zaffirini Hancock Nichols Zaffirini Hancock Nichols Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 23, 2017, by a rising vote. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Bettencourt Hinojosa Rodríguez Birdwell Huffines Schwertner Buckingham Huffman Seliger Burton Hughes Taylor of Collin Campbell Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston Creighton Lucio Uresti Estes Menéndez Watson Garcia Miles West Hall Nelson Whitmire Hancock Nichols Zaffirini