Ronald L. “Ron” Perry

Ronald L. “Ron” Perry, age 91, of Dubuque, IA, was called home to the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on November 5, 2025, at home while surrounded by his loving family.  To honor Ron’s life, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Ron’s family.

Ron was born on October 7, 1934, in Ceres, CA, a son to George D. and Hilda M. (Pool) Perry.  He was a good and decent man whose devotion to his faith, family and friends was unwavering throughout his 91 year journey among us.  Ron spent his formative years in California before moving to Oregon to attend Western Baptist Bible College.  It was there that the Lord introduced him to his soul-mate, Patricia Gilligan, and the couple were soon united in marriage on September 3, 1955. They began their lives together while being blessed with three children of their own.  The family eventually made their way to Oak Park IL where Ron attended Emmaus Bible College.  He was a youth pastor at River Forest Bible Chapel for few years as well as serving as a deacon at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church and always volunteering on mission boards whenever the Lord opened those doors.  Ron’s life’s work was a ministry in and of itself on many levels and his love for the gospel was continually on display.

In his working career, Ron devoted his time and talents with a few different occupations.  Ron was the sales director for IBG in Deerfield for some time, before he and Pat opened Red Carpet Services which they ran for many years together.  After Pat pursued her nursing career, Ron became the shop manager at Web Plastics before finally moving into retirement at the age of 65.  After retiring, Ron and Pat moved to their ‘farm’ just outside of Galena IL.

Ron was as handy as he was determined in life.  His skills were truly a natural gift which he continued to develop with each new endeavor as the years passed.  Most of the projects on their homes were dreamed, developed, implemented and completed by Ron and limited only by his imagination.  No corners were ever allowed to be cut and precision was surely the rule of the day when Ron was at the helm. 

Our hearts surely break at the mere thought of Ron’s absence from our daily lives now.  We know that his legacy will live on in our minds without pause, and thankfully we have the hope which only faith can provide and surely believe that he now resides in absolute perfection in the presence of Jesus, as well as his beloved Pat.  Thank you, Ron, for leading by example, for assuring your family would in time bring their souls right alongside yours in the end, and for never allowing this temporal world to get in the way of your love and faith in all that is good in their life.  Well done good and faithful servant and “May the Lord bless and keep you.  May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.  The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Those left to cherish the memory of Ron include,

his three loving children,

Matthew L. “Matt” (Bonnie) Perry, Sandy, OR,

Kaye M. Kraus, Dubuque, IA,

and Deana (John) Jackson, Dubuque, IA;

his 13 grandchildren;

his 15 great-grandchildren (with 1 on the way);

his 1 great-great-grandson;

and his sister,

Florence (Kent) Rekow, Seattle, WA;

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his beautiful bride of 67 years, Patricia A. “Pat” (Gilligan) Perry; his grandson, Mackenzie Reid; and his siblings, George (Mary) Perry, Ken (Esther) Perry, Edith (Beam) Shaffer and Mariam Perry.

Ron’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Ron’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com