Gilbert Alan Perry's Obituary
Gilbert Alan Perry, affectionately known as "Gil," passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 74. Born on April 20, 1951, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Doris (Reed) and Glen Dale Perry, Gil lived a life marked by dedication to his family, his work, and his love for the great outdoors.
A graduate of Shenandoah High School, Gil went on to earn a degree in civil and construction engineering from Iowa State University in Ames. During his time at Iowa State, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. His education laid the foundation for a career that spanned decades and took him across the U.S, from building power plants in the Southeast to creating modular cities for Alaskan pipeline workers and constructing chip factories for high-tech industries across the country.
Gil married Clare (Becker) Perry in 1973, beginning a partnership that would span 52 years. Together they built a loving family that includes their three children: Ellen (Andru), Reed (Morgan), and Meghan (Tyler). Gil was also a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Catherine, and Gabrielle Bageac; Lily and Sylvan Perry; and Collin and Olivia Van Fleet. He is also survived by his sister, Deborah Perry Schoenfelder (Jim) and a niece, Sarah Jensen Heinrich (Mike) and nephew Scott Jensen (Jennifer) and 6 great nieces and nephews.
An avid outdoorsman with a generous spirit and even temperament, Gil found solace and peace in nature. He was passionate about fishing, hunting, hiking, and spending time with loved ones on family camping trips and river adventures. These experiences created cherished memories for all who shared them with him.
Gil’s roots ran deep, and through Perry DNA research, his lineage was traced back to the early 1700s with ancestors arriving in Virginia. This connection to history was a source of pride for Gil, particularly in the discovery of a distant ancestor at the Battle of the Alamo. He was a perennial and passionate student of World War II history since his father landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day and was decorated for combat in five major battles on the European continent.
A local Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this Spring to honor him and greet family and friends.
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