In Loving Memory

Lynn Perey
Date Of Birth: 07/28/1944
Date of Death: 02/28/2023

Lynn J. Perey, of Beaverton, Oregon (formerly of Billings, Montana) passed away Tuesday, February 28 at the age of 78 from complications related to rapidly progressing Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia.

Lynn was the firstborn son of Emile and Helen Perey arriving on July 28, 1944. He was soon joined by brothers David and Randy. His childhood was spent growing up in Forsyth, Montana, and spending time at the family homestead in Huntley, Montana. Lynn told many a story about his early years: learning to drive a farm truck, playing in the hayloft, and summers spent “buckin’ hay” which he believes is what changed him from boy to man. Of high school sports he said, “There were four seasons: football, basketball, baseball, and chasing girls…and I was never any good at baseball.”

Lynn met Nancy when they were freshmen at Forsyth High School yet they didn’t start dating until he returned home, after his freshman year, as a handsome West Point Military Academy Cadet. A long-distance relationship began and the two married on June 19, 1966, after he graduated from West Point.

Their long-distance romance continued after their wedding as Lynn devoted service to his country. His Army accomplishments were many: completed Airborne and Ranger training, fired a live missile, drove a tank, served in Vietnam received a Bronze Star medal, and was honored to march in both President Johnson’s inaguraual parade in Washington DC and General MacArthu’rs funeral parade in New York City (both as a cadet).

Lynn loved sports (Go Griz) and was active athletically. He played lacrosse, soccer, basketball, cross-country, and football. He often competed in the Peaks to Prarie triathlon, was the overall winner of the Forsyth Mayor’s race, and completed a marathon in under 3 hours. Golf was a favorite (yet often painful) pastime. He honed his skill at the Laurel Golf Club where he had a single-digit handicap, shot even par (72), and had four eagles including one Hole In One. He played St. Andrews and parred the “Road Hole.” A great delight of Lynn’s was attending the Master’s golf tournament three times.

Lynn and Nancy traveled extensively. He made it to every state in the Union except for Arkansas and to fourteen different countries around the world. They loved “cruising” together and had fond memories of a family Caribbean cruise for their fiftieth anniversary. Even so, worldwide travel could not compare to the splendor provided in his home state of Montana. Lynn backpacked extensively, made easier with the help of his favorite pack llamas King and Duke. Jasper Lake and Columbine Pass were two of his high-mountain destinations. He wrote, “While alive I felt closest to God while in the mountains.” Lynn’s main mountain destination was provided by his father in 1974: the family cabin on the Boulder River outside of Big Timber. Special times included fly fishing, elk hunting, hiking, campfires with the grandchildren, and a few wildlife encounters including one overly confident black bear (a.k.a Bobby the Bear).

Lynn loved the Lord and desired to tell others about this love. He and Nancy served as youth group leaders, led couples’ Bible studies, and men’s discipleship groups. They were charter members of Kaleo Covenant Church in Beaverton, a church plant pastored by their son-in-law, Troy. He was Grandpa Lynn to many at church and throughout the neighborhood.

Lynn was preceded in death by his brother David at age 10, his parents, and many other beloved relatives. He is survived by his wife Nancy of 56 years, son Scott Perey, daughter Sandra (Troy) Hoppenrath, grandson Nathan Hoppenrath and his fiance Kaitlyn Stoll, granddaughters Emile Hoppenrath and Anna Hoppenrath, brother Randall (Jennifer) Perey, niece Jennie (Rich) Saxe, nephew Bryan (Jeanette) Perey, great-nephews Scott Saxe, Kevin Saxe, Joshua Perey, great-niece Maya Perey, and his furry side-kick Bella.

A celebration of life and internment at Yellowstone National Cemetary in Laurel, MT is planned for August. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Lynn’s name to the Perey Scholarship fund, ℅ Terri Brown, PO Box 228, Forsyth, MT 59327, or to The Navigators at navigators.com.