Charles Perry

Charles Carol Perry, Charlie, was born on December 24, 1938, in Roswell, NM. He went on to join a whole mess of family and friends in the eternal light of our Heavenly Father on Friday, December 28, 2019. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Elzy & Mayme; his brothers George, Lloyd, Elzy Jr., Jimmy, Leroy, and Don; his sisters Nina, Ruth, and Gladys; in-laws Billy & George Westall, brother-in-law Glen Westall, and sister-in-law Shirley Westall. For 81 years he graced this world.

Charles Perry was the best Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Friend you could ask for. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Ann Westall, March 28th, 1959 and annoyed her for a good 60 years. She was never really happy with the way he drove and probably with good reason. There are some stories about him driving off the side of mountain – at least a few times. However, he took her to every antique store she ever wanted to go in and held her hand as often as he could.

He knew the Lord and had a servant’s heart. There’s another story about him at the age of 70, single-handily getting his grandson Kaleb – and a few more – unstuck from a muddy mess at Brantley Lake. He loved his tractor, and he loved his T.V. He also loved his morning coffee time with the rest of the old coffee drinkers wherever they may be.

Seeing how he never met a stranger, there is a good chance most of ya’ll encountered him at some point. Out of high school Charlie worked with his brothers at Perry Brothers Drilling Company throughout the four corners area. Charles worked at Sierra Blanca Ski Range helping construct the ski resort and causing a lot of ruckus on the slopes. He then ran a Morten’s distributing truck. Afterwards, he got into the Dairy Queen business, owning 5 though out New Mexico. Eventually, he, along with his family, owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Artesia from 1976 to 2007; employing many and entertaining countless.

After closing the DQ, Charles and Ann opened up Georgianna’s Antiques, in Artesia. In 2012 they sold the antique shop to spend time with family and traveling. However, those are just some things he did and do not fully testify to the man he was; strong, caring, selfless, enthusiastic, short-tempered, and downright funny. He was the man you called to get you out of a tough situation or to just brighten your day. He was the man you wanted to model yourself after.

Charles Perry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Georgianna Perry of Artesia, daughter Natalia Campanella and husband Tony of Tinnie, NM, daughter Roxana Newton and husband Kevin of Artesia, and son Nathan Perry and fiancé Cori Kusch of Adkins, TX; a sister Jane Stout of Glencoe, N.M.  As the Good Book says, grandchildren are the crown of the elderly and Charles Perry wore that crown proudly as his legacy is carried on by grandchildren Brandon and wife Thalia Campanella, Vanessa Campanella, Kaleb Newton, Erica and husband Curtis Portio, Bradley Perry, Jordyn Perry, and Christian Kusch. Charlie was also blessed by great grandchildren Tayden and Jaidaa Campanella, Zaelynn Portio, and Blake and Kole Newton.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 2, 2020, from 4p.m.-8p.m. at Terpening & Son Mortuary in Artesia, NM. Cards and Flowers may also be sent to Terpening & Son. Services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020, at the Perry Ranch, 114 Coe Canyon Road off Highway 70 at the Glencoe Loop, at 1:30 p.m. We will have a memorial lunch at 11:30 a.m. where we will tell all the stories that won’t fit on this page. The ranch phone number is 575.378.4654. Please join us to help celebrate his life.