February 21, 1950 ~ December 7, 2022 (age 72)
On December 7th, 2022 Mark Perry passed away after a long and heroic fight against cancer. Mark was a loving family man, active churchman, traveler, sportsman, musician, and businessman.
On February 21st, 1950, Mark Perry was born in Cherokee, Iowa to Kathleen Schumacher and Robert Perry. He was the second child with three siblings: Mike, Marla, and Marilyn.
As a child, Mark demonstrated his diligent work ethic with his first job as a paperboy around the age of 8, being sure to spend the proceeds on some candy from the 5 & Dime, or on a parakeet that accidentally found freedom through an open door. From an early age, Mark was fascinated by the African mounts at the local Sanford Museum and eventually turned his own home into a museum.
In high school, Mark’s lifelong love of music included being a front man and guitarist for a band named The Cult, which included playing the popular Roof Garden at Arnolds Park. Mark’s on-the-job skill development would serve him throughout a successful career. At the age of 17, Mark worked at Peterson Motors washing cars, and moved on to becoming the parts manager. He launched his first of many entrepreneurial ventures when he became Cherokee’s original (OG) “independent” Coors distributor.
Mark graduated high school in 1968, and married Jeanne Saienga in 1969. Shortly thereafter, they decided to move to Longmont, CO. In 1973, his first child Alicia Heather was born, as was his love of living in the mountain community of Pinewood Springs. Several years later in 1976, his son Cody Edward was born. During his time in Pinewood Springs, Mark volunteered as a fireman and served as the Fire Chief for the Pinewood Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
Over the next 6 years, Mark met and fell in love with Ann. Mark and Ann shared over a 40-year romance, full of family, friends, travel, adventure, and excitement through activities like getting run down by black mambas. In 1984 Mark and Ann blended their family, with the addition of Ann’s two daughters, Bobbi Sue and Tiffany Ann. Mark’s first grandchild was born just a few years later in 1984. This would be the first of many grandchildren and the start of what today is a large, loving family including 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.
Mark’s work for Bill Crouch would help to launch his first large entrepreneurial endeavor, Perry’s Boulder Auto Body. After successfully starting the Body Shop Mark moved onto his next venture, the Ute Elk Ranch. Here Mark was able to capitalize on his love and knowledge of nature and wildlife. Starting with twelve elk they grew the ranch to a herd of over a hundred elk, four buffalo, half a dozen peacocks, goats, pigs and ducks; not to mention his growing herd of grandchildren. This eventually led to launching his latest endeavor, a hunting Ranch in Glade Park, CO. Here he combined his love of hunting with his entrepreneurial spirit conducting numerous hunts for clients from around the world.
Mark was known as an avid adventurer and sportsman. During his life he visited six continents, where he explored, hunted, and fished. New Zealand was his second home, where he was graced with many close friendships that he considered family.
Throughout his life Mark had a true passion for people. He had a way with children, whether his own, or just the neighbor down the street. Children saw his honest love and gravitated towards him as to a grandfather. Papa Mark, or “Mr. Mark,” was a papa to countless children throughout his many communities. To meet Mark was to make a new friend. Mark’s love of his family and friends grew into an incredible faith and love in our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout his life Mark held steadfast to, and grew in his faith, and in his later years he came to epitomize the walk of a Christian man. “If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if its serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6b-8). For those who knew him Mark’s gift of service was evident in the hospitality he would so willingly provide. He was a grand host, always using this platform to bestow encouragement, fellowship, and a little laughter that was always seasoned with music. Ultimately though, Mark was a giver, for he gave of himself to everyone he knew, and this is evident in all that loved him.
Mark is survived by his wife Ann, his three children Cody, Alicia, and Tiffany, brother Mike, sisters Marla and Marilyn, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and of those in his Berthoud neighborhood Family.
VISITATION will be held Sunday, December 11, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Chapel, 503 Terry Street, Longmont, CO 80501.
MARK’s CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Brookside Gardens Event Center, 619 East County Road 8, Berthoud, CO 80513.
The family requests that in Lieu of Flowers donations be made to your favorite charity in Mark’s Honor.
