PERRY, Doyle

Doyle Perry was born June 13, 1943 in Phoenix, Ariz. Sadly, we lost him Sept.17, at Meridian, Idaho where he had been undergoing daily wound repair oxygen treatments since July from complications of a cancer surgery. Doyle was a very private person and requested there be no formal funeral. There will be a private family spreading of the ashes at a later date. A public music fest in his honor will be held when the new bandstand is built at Geiser-Pollman Park. Doyle was preceded in death by his parents Virgie Perry-Springer and Elzy Louis Perry and two brothers, Robert and Delton, his first wife Helen Harrison, his step-daughter Dawn Funderburk, great granddaughter Alex and his dear friends, Shirley and John Jennings. Doyle first came to Baker City in 1977 to manage the Kopper Kitchen Restaurant (now Sunridge Inn), where he met his best friend for life and wife, Lynette, who turned the big city boy into a lover of this small town. Doyle's loves were God, his family, sports, music and keeping up with the news. Doyle will probably be best remembered in Baker County for his amazing radio voice and knowledge of sports. He was the morning drive time announcer when KBKR was still located in Baker City. He also worked for KCMB later. He was the editor of the Record Courier and author of Po-Perry column. Many of his news contacts appreciated the trust they could put in him. When they said "keep it off the record" what they told him did not appear in print. He never betrayed a trust. Doyle also worked at The Baker County Chamber of Commerce, and was Baker County Family YMCA directory 1989 to 1993. Prior to moving to Oregon Doyle spent many years running Howard Johnson Hotels and restaurant chains around the country, meeting many famous people. His favorite celebrity guest in the Salt Lake City Hotel was Elvis Presley. Elvis admired Doyle's tie tack. Doyle immediately removed it from his tie and gave it to Elvis. Doyle has given of himself unselfishly wherever he lived. He rescued many a lost soul and saved more than one life. For many years, Doyle volunteered to announce the homes games at BHS and the District and State Basketball games and assorted emcee spots. He also announced the Shrine, Jubilee, and Haines Fourth of July parades for years. He missed doing those parades this year due to health problems. He most recently has been serving on the Friends of The Heritage Museum Board and was the president of that group. Doyle was ever present at the Powder River Music Review, Baker City Easter Egg Hunt, Kiddies Parade, Community Night Out and other events working many hours behind the scenes to be sure the events were a success, especially those that provided family values and helped children. Doyle is survived by his wife Lynette, daughter Pam Franklin of Baker City, sons, Bill Perry of Jackson, Calif., David Funderburk of Jacksonville, Ore., Christopher Perry of Colorado Springs, Colo., grandchildren Michael and Daniel Schulte, William Roberts, Desi, Megan and Devon Funderburk and Hayley Hoffman and their spouses, great-grandchildren and two brothers, Rich and Terry. Monetary gifts to the family are suggested to help defray medical costs or memorial contributions may be made to SIBC/Bandstand building fund, Friends of the Museum through Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. therconline.com 7 Oct 2014