Featured Photo: Perry’s influence was widespread but especially children and young people were drawn to him. Timofey (above) would always ask where Perry was. Regardless of the number of Americans visiting, it was always “Where’s Perry?” “When is Perry coming?” Perry was able to relate to and communicate so well with children. I am reminded of the Lord’s assurance, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Perry epitomized the Lord’s words.
By now most have been informed of Perry’s passing. We were to have returned to Montgomery on Wednesday 22 October. We had gotten up at 3:00 am and walked to the airport. Perry was talking and all were laughing. As we reached the check-in counter, I turned to the clerk and heard Tanya gasp and say “Perry!” I turned around to see Perry on the floor, neither breathing or moving.
Our return trip was instantly stopped but Perry’s journey to be with the Lord was completed!
The airports EMS arrived quickly and began working. I got on the phone with Johnny who patched in David, Rob and Mark. After an extended period, an ambulance arrived. We went to the hospital only to be told that Perry’s “circulation had stopped” and he had expired.
We were told that only family members could do anything. David, Robb and Mark immediately made plans to get to Warsaw as quickly as possible. They arrived the next morning and we have been on a chase to secure all necessary documents required in a death.
A special THANK YOU to Johnny and Marcille Durham who worked feverishly contacting Congressional leads that would assist. Their efforts were restricted to the US Embassy. Every foreign nation has peculiar protocols dealing with the death of a foreign visitor. We have spent the past four days being educated in Poland’s protocol. So much is involved and it is impossible to write it all down.
Vladimir and Oksana Paziy have been constant in offering help. Vlad has driven us from pillar to post in our efforts. Many others have sent sympathy and prayers.
David, Rob and Mark are doing as well as possible. It looks like everything is done as much as we can do it at this point. They have contacted a funeral home and they will secure the necessary documents and releases before Perry’s remains are sent back to Montgomery.
Below are a few photos that I grabbed from previous trips. These show Perry loving the trips and loving the people. He told me and Gif that this trip “has to be the best one I have ever made!”
There is so much that I want to say about Perry. I want to give him the honor and respect that was “naturally” his. Perry loved the Lord and could not understand why people would not do the simple things the Lord asked them to do. He was “Mr. Wizard” who could take a zip tie or Velcro slip and repair the slipping transmission in the middle of nowhere! He taught the Bible in word and was a “Bible bound with shoe leather.”
To me the greatest thing I remember is his family. He and Judy were phenomenal. Perry missed Judy so much after she suddenly died. He was so proud of his three sons, “BUT,” he would quickly add, “I am MORE proud of my wonderful daughters-in-law.” And he loved the grandchildren and told everyone about his “Great-grandchild”!
When I think of Perry, the words of Genesis 17:7 come to mind. Here is the charge to every father. Here is the impact that survives when this “earthy tent” collapses and the angels escort the faithful soul into Abraham’s bosom. God says to Fathers, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.”
Another text that highlights Perry’s legacy as a loving father is 2 John verse 4, “I was overjoyed to find your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.”
God designed the father to leave a lasting legacy for his family where the following generations will continue to obey, “walking in the truth,” and they will remain in an “everlasting covenant” with God. That is not an easy task. It requires stubborn resolve and unyielding commitment to the Lord God Almighty.
Perry did this.
John L. Kachelman, Jr, Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL 36109
