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Carl Wayne Perry passed away peacefully on September 1, 2023. He was born on May 1, 1952 to Marion and Dorothy Perry in Oklahoma City, OK. He was preceded in death by his father; his sister, Doris Phillips; his daughter, Alyson Grace and a stillborn son and daughter. Carl is survived by his wife Carla; his sons, Craig and Chad; his mother, Dorothy; his sister, Debbie Applegate; his brother-in-law, Bill Phillips and many other loving friends and family.
Carl Perry told the best stories.
Yes, whatever else he might be known for, Carl Perry definitely told the best stories.
When Carl was a little boy, he was so shy that he would regularly hide behind his mother’s skirt if someone came to the door. Needless to say, the shyness did not last long. Soon, Carl could-and did-talk to everyone about everything. Common topics included watching Yankee baseball, playing in the school band, building model cars and, of course, interesting tidbits picked up while shining shoes at the barbershop. Even as a young man, Carl liked telling stories.
Before graduating from Classen High School, Carl had already started working for Holiday Inn learning restaurant management. Yep, he picked up more stories there. Then Carl went to work for Pioneer Ambulance saving lives as one of Oklahoma City’s first paramedics. Then he had BETTER stories. When Carl and Carla met, he delighted in telling her hour after hour of ambulance stories. Imagine winning your future wife with medical jargon. Only a great storyteller could pull that off.
After leaving Pioneer, Carl decided to return to restaurant management working with Whataburger. He worked there for over 15 years-going from junior assistant manager at one store up to vice president of the Oklahoma franchise. That was quite a story in itself. Around the time he started with Whataburger, Carl’s sister Doris asked him to study the Bible with her at the kitchen table. This study ended in his baptism. Carl had a new story to tell.
Carl was on fire for the Lord from the beginning. He participated in studies, drove the church bus, shadowed the minister, visited hospital patients and taught Bible classes—all while working full time and trying to be a good family man. Carl studied with and baptized many employees, friends and family members. Many folks thought he would burn out but he didn’t. He was telling the Greatest Story Ever Told
When it became obvious that Carl was spending more time working for the Lord than for Whataburger, he decided to go to Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, TX. During this time Carl’s work ethic did not change. He went to school all week, served as class chairman all four terms and drove 45 miles every Sunday to preach in White Face, Tx. Carl graduated with a 4.0 GPA in Biblical and Ministry Studies and then he moved back to OKC to continuing telling the story of Jesus. In Sunset vernacular he came home to “Preach the Word”.
On his return to the Oklahoma City Metro, Carl started his first work at Bethany Church of Christ. While Carl loved proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit, he took special pride in working one on one. While he was at Bethany, the Oklahoma City Bombing happened and Carl responded. First that morning with his paramedic skills then later with a group of family counselors to notify the families of the victims. This is the one story Carl never wanted to talk about.
Carl left Bethany, survived colon cancer and then went back to work. Carl began working with Grand Blvd Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. Despite continuing health problems, he was able to preach and teach for many years-telling the old, old story- until he just dropped. Even while bedfast, Carl continued counseling church members over the phone. He passed away very peacefully at home with his beloved wife Carla. Finally, Carl knows the rest of the story.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Buchanan Funeral Service; interment will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.
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