Obituary of Bobbie (Bob) Lee Perry

Bobbie (Bob) Lee Perry, 94, of Golconda, Illinois went to the Lord on Friday, April 12, 2024. Bob was born on October 3, 1929, in West Frankfort, Illinois, to parents John Lee and Ruby Ella Hall.
While Bob was an only child, he was raised with an adopted sister, Violet Hall. Bob graduated from Frankfort High School, West Frankfort, Illinois in 1947.
He attended the University of Missouri-Rolla and ROTC Program graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Geology.
Bob was a proud Korean War Veteran serving in Korea from 1951-1953 with the Army Corp of Engineers as 2nd Lieutenant, 409th Engineering Brigade, Pusan, South Korea.
Given his geological expertise, Bob managed a rock quarry operation which provided building material for roads, runways, and bridges in the war effort.
After his discharge in 1953, Bob returned to the University of Missouri-Rolla and earned a Master’s Degree in Mining Geology in 1958.
During this time on April 13, 1952, Bob married Virginia Ortega in Gatesville, Texas. Virginia currently resides in Marion, Illinois.
Over the next few years, the two lived in Peru, Missouri, New Mexico, Illinois and welcomed their five children: Belinda Consuela (son-in-law Jerry Jenkins), John David (daughter-in-law Irma Jimenez), Regina Lea (son-in-law Roger Pfister) Juana Maria (son-in-law Jerry Foster) and Lee Daniel.
Bob subsequently married Luisa Martinez and Joan Tucker. Both preceded Bob in 1981 and 2015, respectively.
While in The Voyage Assisted Senior Living Facility in Murphysboro, Bob was able to meet and became very close friends with Lois Underwood.
Bob’s successful career spanned a spectrum of hard rock mining positions involving copper, uranium, coal, lead, zinc, fluorite, and barite. In his final professional position, Bob spent 20 years working for Ozark-Mahoning Corporation in Rosiclare, Illinois which later became Pennwalt Corporation. Bob retired in 1985 as Vice President of the Pennwalt Mining Division. Under Bob’s leadership many prolific fluorite ore bodies were discovered and commercially developed.
Bob is survived by four of his children, Belinda Jenkins, John D Perry, Regina Pfister and Juana Foster; stepdaughter, Allison Powles; stepson Wade Barnerd; eleven grandchildren; four step grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren.
Bob is welcomed in heaven by his son, Lee Daniel; parents, John Lee and Ruby Ella; and former wives, Luisa and Joan.
Bob will be remembered in many ways – as a distinguished veteran who courageously served his country in Korea; as a skilled Mining Exploration Geologist; as a very talented craftsman, who could build anything from wood. His pride and joy was a timber frame home built with his third wife Joan following his retirement. Bob’s knowledge and love for nature, plants and gardening was without question his peace and solitude. His very dry humor and quick wit was a trademark. Bob’s interest in politics and current events made for some interesting breakfast conversations.
Bob spent the past few years living his life at The Voyage Assisted Senior Living Facility in Murphysboro, Illinois. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the entire staff at The Voyage for all the care Bob received. The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other staff at the Marion VA Family Community Living Center for their caring, comfort and compassionate service in Bob’s final days and hours.
A gravesite memorial service will be held for Bob at Freedom Cemetery, Williamson County, Marion, Illinois on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Cherrie Roan will conduct the service.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Cradle ofHope, 2015 W. Main St., Suite B, Carbondale, IL 62901 or Freedom Cemetery, 4901 Freedom Lane, Marion, IL 62959

To purchase gifts and flowers locally, visit www.RosiclareFlowerBasket.net .