Elder L Tom Perry

Funeral Services Remember Smiling Elder L Tom Perry

Elder L Tom Perry

After being diagnosed with cancer, the oldest living apostle, Elder L Tom Perry, passed away. He is remembered for his problem solving & heartwarming smile.

The church of Latter Day Saints is mourning the passing away of Elder L. Tom Perry. Elder Perry passed away at his Salt Lake City home on 30th May at 3 pm about forty days after he was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. At his time of death, he was the Mormon Church’s eldest living apostle aged 92 and was also the second in line to lead the church after President Boyd K. Packer, the current president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Tom Perry was scheduled to receive hospice treatment after his cancer described by both his son and doctor as wildfire spread past his lungs and was deemed terminal. The funeral service was held on Friday June 5 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Temple Square. The funeral service was streamed with live coverage on LDS.org, and thousands attended in person. The burial service took place at Salt City Cemetery and with a private ceremony.

Elder L. Tom Perry will be remembered both for his commanding height, cheerfulness, and genuine warmth to all he met as well as for his impressive problem solving  determination. Family, friends, colleagues, members of congregation and state officials remember a man who cared for all, was devoted to his faith, and cared for his family. His son said his father will be remembered as a champion for the family while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Elder Perry remembered his cheerfulness and eagerness t encourage everyone he met to “try a little harder and be a little better”.

His devotion to his faith was demonstrated in his service to the church which started with his mission in 1942. Since then, L. Tom Perry also served in various capacities from counselor in an Idaho bishopric; to counselor in a California stake presidency; to a New York Stake high councilor; and even president of the Boston Stake. He was appointed to the Quorum of 12 Apostles where he has served since April 6, 1974.

Born on August 5th in 1922 in Utah to parents Leslie Thomas and Nora Sonne Perry, L. Tom Perry earned his B.S Degree in Finance while studying at Utah State University in 1949. He married Virginia Lee in 1947 at the Logan Temple, but she passed away in 1974. They had a son and two daughters. He later married Barbara Taylor Dayton in 1976.

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