John Bingham Perry

John Bingham Perry, 87, of Boise, Idaho passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022, at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Idaho of a newly diagnosed medical issue.

John was born March 20, 1935, in Provo, Utah, to his parents, Asahel Allen Perry and Elgia Bingham Perry. In his early life, his father was pursuing advanced education which caused them to move often. His parents grew up in Vernal, Utah so he often spent summers there while his father helped on the family farm. They lived in Tridell, Logan, North Cache, Farmington, Vernal, and Ephraim, Utah, before his father took a job working for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. They were transferred to Gibson and Fort Hall, Idaho where his younger brother, Don, joined the family. He attended Fort Hall Elementary School and Blackfoot Junior High School.

His family was transferred Fort Duchesne, Utah where he finished eighth grade at Fort Duchesne Elementary School. He started at Alterra High School as a freshman. As a junior, Alterra and Roosevelt schools combined to create Union High School. John played on the varsity basketball team. In 1953 the team competed at the Class B Utah State High School Basketball Tournament and won their four games to become state champions!

John attended two years at Weber Junior College – one of them on a basketball scholarship – and then served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the continent of Australia. Upon completion of his two years, he was released from service and he and a companion took three months traveling to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe before returning to the United States. Upon returning to Valentine, Arizona, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed his Basic Training at Fort Ord, California. He was assigned to Camp Irwin, California where he ended up being assigned as a general’s chauffeur. He was honorably discharged and started his studies at Brigham Young University where he met and courted Vernean Butcher of Fruit Heights, Utah. They were married on November 23, 1960, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Upon graduating from BYU in 1962 with a history degree, John and Vernean accepted a position with the U.S. Health Department – Centers for Disease Control. He took assignments in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; Amarillo, Texas; San Jose, California; Lansing, Michigan, and in 1984 they were transferred to Boise, Idaho. He loved all the places he lived and all the friends he met along the way. John and Vernean knew that they would always have a Church family wherever they moved. He was humbled to serve as a Bishop in three wards, in a stake presidency, and as a Branch President two times. His favorite church calling was working with the Cub and Boy Scouts. His four sons and five grandsons earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from the Wood Badge program and helped to train other leaders. After being chairman of the Idaho Centennial Jubilee Boy Scout Encampment in 1990, the Ore-Ida Council awarded John the Silver Beaver award.

John retired after 30 years of government service and became a substitute teacher for the Boise and Meridian School District for many years. He and his wife also served three church missions together: Montana, Billings Mission where they were assigned to the sweet town of Superior, Montana; California San Diego Mission where they served in the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center and the grounds of the San Diego Temple and finally the New York, Rochester Mission (Palmyra). They loved meeting people and associating with the other missionaries. They also served as shift coordinators in the Boise Temple and enjoyed their association with the Wednesday night workers and patrons.

John is survived by his lovely wife of 61 years, Vernean, and their six wonderful children and their spouses: Burke (Maria) Perry of Miami, Florida; Tondee (Paul) Clark, Boise, Idaho; Shan (Karissa) Perry, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Jared (Michelle) Perry, Meridian, Idaho; Kali (Jeremy) Clayton, Sparks, Nevada, and Alma (Lerin) of Meridian, Idaho. Also, surviving is his younger brother, Don, of Yuma, Arizona. He was blessed with 28 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and a boy on the way! He and Vernean always supported their children and grandchildren in their many activities and loved going to their athletic activities, musicals, dance recitals, choir, band, and orchestra concerts.

When he had free time, John loved to work in the garden, backpack, fish, and work on home projects. He also loved to read, laugh, plan for trips or activities, and travel.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Mary Perry.

The funeral and viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brookhollow Ward located at 3700 South Maple Grove Rd, Boise, ID 83709. Friends and family will be received on Thursday, July 21st from 6:30-8:00 PM, and on Friday, July 22nd from 9:30-10:15 AM. The funeral will begin at 10:30 AM followed by a family luncheon. Burial will be at Dry Creek Cemetery after the luncheon.