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Wall of Witnesses: |
When you drink from the well remember the well digger.
Faces of well-known and well-loved Perry-area men and women can be found on the west side of Soumas Court. This wall recognizes those who have gone before and stand as witnesses to our care of the community and those who set the course both in the present and in the future. The ceramic plaques of various sizes and shapes were designed by Dahlquist Clayworks.
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Roy “Snake” Whyte- Musician, Blues/Jazz/Gospel
1907-2000
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Roy “Snake” Whyte
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Celeste Council – 50 years of 5 cent popcorn
1882-1969
1882-1969
- Born: August 17, 1882
- Died: April 23, 1969
- 86 years old at time of death
- Born in Perry to early settler family
- Married Vernon Council January 11, 1923
- Operated the popcorn stand on the corner of 2nd and Willis for 49 years
- Sold popcorn for 5 cents a bag
- Friendly to all
John Turner
1910-1998
Perry.
Teacher for 45 years
Coal Miner
Devoted husband and father
Raconteur
John’s mother’s maiden name was Evans and the family was from Wales; his father was from England. John’s wife Edith was from Madrid, Iowa and her family, the Goodman’s or (Gudmmunsen) were from Hoganas, Sweden. John and Edie had one son, J.D.; he taught high school for four years before going the PGA. J.D.’s family includes three daughters, all involved in education, and four grand children.
In the Lucas mining years, John’s father was president of the local mining union, while the recording secretary was John L. Lewis. John’s mother taught in the school at Lucas while Mrs. Lewis taught there too. His mother taught in Lucas, IA after she had graduated from school where she had taken Normal Training. She taught the first four grades until she married Henry Turner.
After two years at Graceland College, where he received his A.A., John applied at several schools. These were during the Depression Days and teachers were not leaving their jobs; so he worked in a coal mine at Moran for two years. He was then hired to teach in a rural school between Woodward and Moran; he had 29 plus students from 1st through 8th grade and stayed there for 3 years. His salary at that time was $55 per month. He always maintained that was when we earned to teach. After rural school he was hired at Gardiner School east of Perry on highway 169, where he taught 7th and 8th grades for seven years.
John was hired by Perry Schools (Junior High) where he taught social studies and was a junior high coach. He taught in Perry for 33 years. He spent 44 years in Dallas County; he taught 44 years within a radius of 8 miles. John continued his education by attending Saturday classes and summer school, eventually earning his B.A. and M.A. from Drake University.
1910-1998
- Born March 7, 1910 in Pleasant Plain, Iowa.
- Died November 24, 1998 in Perry, Iowa.
- Mother from Wales, father from England.
- Father was president of local mining union.
- Taught 44 years in Dallas County within a radius of eight miles
- Taught in the following schools: Beulah one-room school, Gardiner, Woodward, and
Perry.
Teacher for 45 years
Coal Miner
Devoted husband and father
Raconteur
John’s mother’s maiden name was Evans and the family was from Wales; his father was from England. John’s wife Edith was from Madrid, Iowa and her family, the Goodman’s or (Gudmmunsen) were from Hoganas, Sweden. John and Edie had one son, J.D.; he taught high school for four years before going the PGA. J.D.’s family includes three daughters, all involved in education, and four grand children.
In the Lucas mining years, John’s father was president of the local mining union, while the recording secretary was John L. Lewis. John’s mother taught in the school at Lucas while Mrs. Lewis taught there too. His mother taught in Lucas, IA after she had graduated from school where she had taken Normal Training. She taught the first four grades until she married Henry Turner.
After two years at Graceland College, where he received his A.A., John applied at several schools. These were during the Depression Days and teachers were not leaving their jobs; so he worked in a coal mine at Moran for two years. He was then hired to teach in a rural school between Woodward and Moran; he had 29 plus students from 1st through 8th grade and stayed there for 3 years. His salary at that time was $55 per month. He always maintained that was when we earned to teach. After rural school he was hired at Gardiner School east of Perry on highway 169, where he taught 7th and 8th grades for seven years.
John was hired by Perry Schools (Junior High) where he taught social studies and was a junior high coach. He taught in Perry for 33 years. He spent 44 years in Dallas County; he taught 44 years within a radius of 8 miles. John continued his education by attending Saturday classes and summer school, eventually earning his B.A. and M.A. from Drake University.
Fred Melick – Dedicated Post Office Employee; Walked 21 miles per day; local Philanthropist
1885-1972
1885-1972
- Born: February 13, 1885
- Died: May 15, 1972
- 87 years old at time of death
- Father, pioneer grocer
- Attended Perry schools, Simpson College, held a masters degree in music from Northwestern University
- First city postman when city mail delivery was instituted March 1, 1908
- Said to have carried pancakes in his hat for his lunch
- Sang in the Methodist Church choir until he was 86, played the church organ for 35 years
- Did not have an unexcused absence from Sunday School for 58 years
- Donated 8,000 shares of Gimbel stock to the Methodist Church, stipulating that $125,000 be used for a pipe organ
- Walked 21 miles a day, added a hike in the country before reporting for work at 6 a.m.
Willie Tudor – Met every one with a smile, a wave, or even a
1926- 2002
Willis Leon Tudor (Willy)
1926- 2002
Willis Leon Tudor (Willy)
- Born: August 27, 1926
- Died: March 26, 2002
- 76 years old at time of death
- Life-long resident of Perry
- Could not hear or speak
- Attended the School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs
- Knew everyone, always had a smile, a wave, and sometimes a bow
- Liked to hang out at Perry Bowl, the theater, and some bars, but didn’t drink, just a place to socialize
- Attended church every Sunday and always carried his Bible
VT “Snick” Hamlin – Creator of Alley Oop
1909 -1993
Perry native
Creator of Alley Oop
Always remembered Perry
Created “Per wa”
Cartoonist
Loyal husband
1909 -1993
- Born May 10, 1900 in Perry, Iowa.
- Died June 14, 1993 in Sarasota, Florida.
- Father was a Perry dentist.
- Attended school in Perry until WWI; then joined the Army.
- Returned to Perry in 1919 and illustrated the yearbook, Eclipse.
- Created Alley Oop in 1929, featuring a caveman living amid dinosaurs.
- Married Dorothy Stapleton of Perry, who is credited with the idea of the time machine in the cartoon strip Alley Oop.
Perry native
Creator of Alley Oop
Always remembered Perry
Created “Per wa”
Cartoonist
Loyal husband
Nora O’Malley – St. Patrick Catholic School Founder - Teacher
1884-1921
- Born: August 24, 1884
- Died: February 20, 1921
- Born near Jamaica.
- Taught school in Panora and Dawson.
- Married George O’Malley June 16, 1909.
- Wanted her sons to have a Catholic School education.
- Campaigned for a Catholic school.
- Buried on the same day St. Patrick School was dedicated.
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Betty Mae Harris – Dancer - Choreographer 1895-1971
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