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SALT LAKE CITY — Officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Saturday, May 30, that Elder L. Tom Perry has died.
He died at his home just after 3 p.m. after a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. He was 92 years old. Elder Perry served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 1974.
Elder Perry was born Aug. 5, 1922 in Logan to Leslie Thomas and Nora Sonne Perry, who taught him from childhood to serve his God. As a parent himself, Elder Perry passed his faith tradition onto his children, involving them in every aspect of his life.
"I think that any father should let his family become involved and never isolate them from what he is doing. He should make the family a part of every calling and every business responsibility that comes to him. By so doing they feel closer, and they feel the need to make contributions."
Elder Perry, called April 6, 1974 as an apostle following the death of Harold B. Lee, was known for his wide smile, large stature and optimism.
"Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: ‘The best is yet to be.' We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come," Elder Perry said in an October 2008 General Conference talk.
He frequently emphasized the role of parents to teach children about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Homes should be an anchor, a safe harbor, a place of refuge, a place where families dwell together, a place where children are loved," he said in an April 2010 General Conference address. "In the home, parents should teach their children the great lessons of life. Home should be the center of one's earthly experience, where love and mutual respect are appropriately blended."
Photo credit: Tom Smart/Deseret News
As a young man, Elder Perry served a mission for the LDS Church to the northern United States before serving in the Marine Corps in the Pacific.
As a finance student at Utah State University, Elder Perry met Virginia Lee of Hyde Park, Utah, who was studying Portuguese. On July 18, 1947, the two married in the Logan Temple. Elder Perry graduated from USU in 1949 and continued with graduate work the next year before beginning a career in retail.
Together, they had two daughters, Barbara and Linda Gay, and a son, Lee.
On Dec. 14, 1974, Sister Perry died after fighting cancer and suffering a stroke. Nearly 10 years later, his daughter Barbara died in 1983. Elder Perry also lost two grandchildren to death. Looking back on this difficult time, Elder Perry reminded others to look to the Lord.
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Utahns remember Elder Perry's smile, 'enthusiasm for life'
As Utahns learned of Elder L. Tom Perry's passing, they paid tribute to a man who they say led by example. That was evident when talking to people at Temple Square on Saturday. Many people fondly remembered Elder Perry's enthusiasm for life."The Lord is very kind. Even though some experiences are hard, he floods your mind with memories and gives you other opportunities. Life doesn't end just because you have a tragedy—there's a new mountain to climb. Don't spend a lot of time sulking over what you've lost. Get on with climbing the next mountain."
Elder Perry remarried on April 28, 1976, to Barbara Taylor Dayton in the Salt Lake Temple. Before marrying, she had worked as a nurse at LDS Hospital and for four years after earning a master's degree in health education, taught nursing at Brigham Young University.
In 2004, Elder Perry was assigned by President Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as the president of the East Europe Area. During his tenure there, he instituted a program that focused on young adults. He felt "impressed" that the church's growth would come from 18- to 30-year-olds.
In 1974, his son, Lee Perry wrote of his father's service in the church:
"Through his years of service in many positions of responsibility, Elder Perry has continued to grow with an eye single to the glory of God. Through abundant enthusiasm he has inspired many others to serve and grow. He has maintained a childlike love for all, which has enabled him to be empathetic to those in need and joyous over the achievements of others. He has selflessly centered his purpose in the gospel, bringing his family, friends, and others whose lives he has touched closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
The Church will announce details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available.
