Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Perry, Timothy James April 9, 2022 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net April 6, 2023, 5:57 pm Ionia Shopper's Guide - Saturday April 16, 2022 PERRY Timothy James Perry age 64, a loving, adventurous, funny, entertaining, yet private husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, dropped a gear and disappeared taking his final cruise to heaven's gate on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. Tim was born December 9th, 1957, to Allen and Mabel (Richardson) Perry in Ionia. Tim was the youngest of 3 boys, joining Michael and Patrick. Tim's father passed away when he was just a senior in high school and his mother passed away a few short years later. Although both of his parents had careers in the medical field, Tim's passion for mechanics grew from a young age. When it came to his schooling and his friends, his heart remained torn between Ionia where he attended grade school and Gladwin where he ultimately graduated high school. Although Tim's family moved to Pratts Lake in Gladwin during his high school years, he never stopped telling stories of his childhood on Benton Court in Ionia.He also loved the lake so much in Gladwin that he took yearly trips there after graduating. Tim went on to marry his forever loving wife, Roberta of 44 years. their forever friendship started in 7th grade inIonia Jr.high. Tim sat in front of Roberta in study hall in which they spoke very little to each other at first.Soon after, a friendship blossomed once Roberta noticed that Tim had a passion for building model cars. Roberta then took it upon herself to buy one and bring to study hall just so Tim would help her build it. Tim taught Roberta everything there was to know about model cars including how to remove parts from the trees, to sanding and painting them. After junior high school, Tim's family moved to Gladwin where he graduated and went on to get his Diesel Repair certification at Bailey Tech in St.Louis, Missouri. Tim eventually returned from St.Lous to Benton Court where on a Saturday night cruise in his 1963 flat back Fairlane (Which it sounded as tough as it looked) spotted Roberta and together they were again. May 7th of the same years they were married and started the Perry family's lifetime story and built their forever home. As mentioned before Tim's passion was mechanics. Once graduated with his diesel certification, Tim went on to start a career with Caterpillar in Jacksonville, FL. After that his career continued in GR at Ring Power Lastly, his work finished out at American Bumper (Ventra) for the past 30 years as a tool and die journeyman manager. Time loved being in the garage, he built motors and transmissions, he did body work, and he had undeniable fabrication skills. This along with his family, were his unquestionable devotions of his life. He was known to many as the Ford guy and found endless enjoyment working on them. He was a master of his craft and believed that vehicles should be preserved and spent his lifetime precisely doing that. One of his loves was his 1968 Mustang named Blackcherry. Tim enjoyed driving this car inc cruises and all around the state.The Perry family took many cruises together and also spent time driving the dunes at Silver Lake. Tim was also known to do some street stock racing in Crystal, Palo, and Ionia in his early years driving #44. He also enjoyed winters that he was able to rescue people stuck in the snowstorms and drive his Ford Trucks to pull people out. He enjoyed family camping trips and never said no to a Sci-Fi movie or series on TV- he loved them. If you were blessed to know Tim, you would know that his priorities remained with his family. Tim was calm, kind, caring, wise, and a hardworking man. Always teaching his children and grandchildren what it means to be dedicated to work and family. He always spoke his mind and you knew what he was thinking although he had no problem telling you. Tim always tried to help others and never asked for repayment. Surviving Tim and carrying on his legacies to cherish are his wife, Roberta (Priest),sons, Nicholas (Faith Oberlin) Joseph (Amber Lake),Christopher (Morgan Prescott), and daughter Michelle Perry. Nephew Tony Campbell. Brother-in-laws Mike Priest (Julie Anderson), Dennis Priest (Darlene Alexander), Sister-in-laws Debra (James) Thalison, Patricia (Bob) Priest, and brother Michael Perry. Also surviving Tim are his beautiful, loving and kind grandchildren Devin Perry, Nicholas Bergeron, Brianna Perry, Braxton Perry, Nautica Tasma, Levi Perry, Benson Perry, and Serenity Perry. Tim was preceded in death by his newborn granddaughter Lachlan Perry, sister-in- law Tami (Werner) Priest, his parents Alan and Mabel Perry, parents-in-law Robert and Reba Priest, and brother Patrick Perry. If your hears is moved to donate in Time's name and memory donate to Ionia Community Awareness. This organization helped with providing love and support to Tim and is family during his 5 years battle with cancer. Follow the link Ionia Community awareness (Purple)/Facebook. Cremation has taken place and the family is planning a future cruise in celebration of Tim's life. Arrangements in care of the Lake Funeral Home in Ionia. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/p/perry45413nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb