Obituary of Lee F. Perry

Lee F. Perry – November 15, 1960 to July 18, 2023 passed away from natural causes.  Lee was a beloved brother, uncle, businessman and friend.  He was 62 years old.   

Lee grew up in Boulder working at his father’s full service gas station.  He was an excellent mechanic and loved cars, trains, planes and just about anything mechanical. 

Lee was a gifted and brilliant man.  He graduated 4th in his class with Honors from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Geophysical Engineering.  Life being what it is, he was unable to secure work in his field during the economic crisis of the early 1980’s.  This led him to find employment in the exciting emerging field of satellite uplinks which was a perfect fit for his second passion, anything which included space, rockets, satellites, and astronomy.  He went to work for one of only two existing uplink companies in the United States at that time. Even though he was a native Boulder boy, American Uplinks is how he ended up in Idaho Springs. He traveled extensively with the company and saw much of the United States. 

 When American Uplinks sold, Lee returned to Boulder to assist his family in closing the old established family garage so his father could retire.  While between jobs he returned to Idaho Springs to help out friends at C & C Machine and Welding.  He excelled at the work as he loved the problem solving and the creative challenges presented by a small jobs shop in an old mining town.  He ended up single handedly running C & C Machine and Welding for over 30 years.  When the machine shop closed last year he took on the role of Dairy Manager at Safeway in Idaho Springs. 

Lee intuitively knew what was important in life.  He valued family, friends, loyalty, and integrity. He wasn’t a “stuff” guy.  He was kind, funny, generous, humble, and had a great dry wit. If you were lucky enough to call Lee Perry a friend, you were blessed indeed. 

Lee is survived by sister Edith (Jerry) Gloss, brothers Robert (Sue) Perry, and William Perry, Brother in Law Richard Fogg and by 3 nieces and a nephew.  He is preceded in passing by his parents Bill and Louise Perry and sister Janet Fogg. 

The family is planning a private celebration of his life within the next few months.   

If you wish to honor Lee, please consider donating to a local Clear Creek County charity.  He gave freely of his time and talents to several including the Idaho Springs Library.