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Thursday, December 03, 2009 | 
From the Gardnerville, Nevada Record-Courier...
Award-winning firefighting publication editor James A. Perry, 69, was killed in a head-on accident on Thursday.
Perry was southbound on Highway 395 in a pickup when he collided head on with a Ford Expedition at 7:49 a.m. (Read More... )
Retired Captain Jim Perry was a legendary member of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Among his countless (and we use the term literally) accomplishments was establishment of the LAFD's media relations efforts through our Public Service Officer program.
Jim was a dear personal friend and strict but loving mentor who once sat in the very position our blog staff occupies today.
Words presently escape us in describing our loss - but as Jim would have wanted, we ask today for your thoughts and prayers for Kenneth Ceglia, the other driver, as well as the Perry and Ceglia families.
Memorial Ceremonies for Jim Perry - All are Welcome:
In Minden, Nevada...
Saturday, December 12th
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
C.V.I.C. Hall
1602 Esmeralda Avenue
Minden, NV 89423
In Los Angeles, California...
Saturday, December 19th
10:00 AM
Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
1700 Stadium Way
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Special rates have been established at hotels near both locations. Your on-line condolence is also welcome.
For additional information, we kindly refer you to the website of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (IAFF Local 112), where Jim was the proud editor of the multiple award-winning Los Angeles Firefighter newspaper at the time of his passing.
Rest in Peace Brother Jim, your work is done. # # #
(obituary)
(memorial service photos)
(memorial service photos)
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
21 comments:
While I struggle with what is both a deep personal and professional loss, I politely offer two indisputable truths about Jim Perry:
1. If you don't know Jim Perry, you aren't a seasoned Los Angeles journalist.
2. If you don't instantly recognize the name and life's work of Jim Perry, you aren't really a Los Angeles Firefighter.
Rest in Peace Brother Jim, I am honored beyond words to be your protégé.
Brian
Brother Jim,
I only met you once, but had the wonderful opportunity to work with you through my photography as a contributing photographer for the Los Angeles Firefighter. You were an inspiration to all, and a legend in your own right. You will be deeply missed by all. Rest In Peace my friend.
Some photos from the 2008 Los Angeles Press Club awards dinner where I first met Jim can be found at http://www.firelinephoto.com/jimperry/
My name is Ashlee Smith (10) founder of Ashlee's Toy Closet. We met Mr. Perry on a return Southwest Airlines flight. My dad is a fireman and we had so much fun sharing stories with Mr. Perry. He was an amazing man and loved emailing and reading about my organization. He was a great man and we will miss him a lot. God Bless him and his family. Reno, Nevada and I will miss him a lot.
Ashlee Smith, Reno, NV
Ashlee, you are an inspiration. Thanks for your touching note. Jim indeed spoke of your organization frequently.
We would be remiss of Jim's mentoring if we didn't provide a prominent link below:
ashleestoycloset.org
Thank you for remembering Jim, please give our best to your dad and kindly accept our best wishes for your wonderful cause.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
The -30- was a nice touch. Condolences on your loss.
For six years, Jim and I served as VPs of the Int'l Labor Communications Assoc. Our quarterly meetings were held across the USA. WHAT A BLAST BEING WITH JIM! I loved him like a brother. Jay L. Bloom Utica,NY Former UFCW Local One PR Director
Jim: Your smiling face and wonderful sense of humor will be sorely missed everywhere, especially in your home country, Carson Valley, NV. Love to you, and thoughts of sorrow to all of us left behind. See you later--
Earl Seddon (Ret.LAFD)
Jim was a good man and (along with Tony D) set the benchmark for fire PIOs. He will be missed.
Jim was an inspiration and a great mentor. I thank you for the time and the the conversations. Your words and deeds will be truly missed.
Ron Price (Ret. LAFD)
Jim was one of the finest people I ever had the pleasure to work with on the LAFD. He was dedicated and loyal to both the Fire Department and UFLAC and he always led by example. The world is a poorer place with Jim's untimely passing. RIP, Brother Jim.
I knew Jim for almost 40 years and worked with him on the LAFD and the Relief Association. He always made everyone feel as if he were truly glad to see you. We will miss that smile.
Bruce and Linda Frashure
Never met Jim personally, but instantly loved him through our frequent telephone conversations and emails. Jim was a great ambassador for the fire service, and I consider myself fortunate to have known him for the short time I did.
My heartfelt condolences to my LAFD bro's
Wayne, SBFD
My name is Juan Guerra and I'm a volunteer Photographer with the Fire Dept. for many years. A couple years ago I meet Jim for the first time. He was a good friend, always there for me. How to forget his phone calls to invite me for early breakfast when he was in town to share stories about fires and pictures. I had a surgery Last Dec 2nd and I received an email from him wishing me good luck just the day before. Jim..I always will remember you as a very good friend...your smile and sense of humor will live forever...
Sweet,
You made my life tolerable at an intolerable time and gave me laughter for the rest. You are so missed. But you will always live on in my heart.
pinkie
Since I received the phone call about Uncle Jim I've intended about writing about my time spent with him. Still words escape me. I'm not sure where to begin. Uncle Jim had a tremendous impact on my life. With great thanks to him and my grandfather, Joe Karnes, I joined the fire service five years ago. I could not ask for a finer career. Uncle Jim has touched so many other lives throughout his life; I am proud to be his nephew.
Although, we lived almost two thousand of miles I was blessed to have a relationship with Uncle Jim, for which I am eternally thankful.
Uncle Jim Perry will truly be missed by everyone, but will be in our hearts and memories forever!
Scotty S. Jones #245
Killeen Fire Department
Rest In Peace Jim. We met many years ago, and managed to keep in touch from the very first days I ever wore a Uniform. His insights and humor were things he gave to all willingly, and were cherished by the millions of lives he touched. He always knew the right words at the most difficult times, and was an icon in and out of his field. He will truly be missed and I hope that everyone will honor his memory by doing for others as much as he did for each and every one of us.
Mike P.
Integrity, dedication, perseverance, and determination are a few of the words which describe Jim Perry's life
I am proud to have worked for him and known him as a friend for thirtyeight years. He was always an inspiration to me and the best Captain I ever worked for.
Rest in peace Jim, your work is done.
Willis "Marty" Martin
Chattanooga, TN
I'm a waiter at Daily Grill in Burbank, CA. Jim was a frequent guest at our restaurant. If you met Jim once, you felt you knew him for years. His warm heart and always smiling face lit up our business every time chose to visit us. With every visit, he took the time to ask everyone how they were doing. He remembered everyone's name after a first meeting, and took a genuine interest in their life. I never tired of his stories. His stories were never about him, they were instead always about the people he encountered on his travels on behalf of the LAFD. That let me know everything he was about. Never about himself. Always about others. Jim, you will be missed. On behalf of all of The Daily Grill staff in Burbank, we offer our sincerest condolences to all of his family and friends, be they many.
My condolences to the family.
Wendy Mitchell
(George's daughter)
I am deeply saddened at the loss of my Brother Jim. We were brothers in Freemasonry, firefighting and journalism.
I will always remember our many conversations when I sought his guidance while I was the editor of 1st Responder Newspaper and afterward.
I will miss talking with Jim very much. Every time I called him, the first thing he would always ask about my son who is with San Diego City.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to Jim's family and to the men and women of LAFD, we have all lost a cherished friend.
I just learned of Jim's passing today. My husband and I are in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, Southern Africa.
Jim was a good friend for 19 years. I truly miss him, but look forward to seeing him again someday in heaven.
Carol Griffin
Lesotho
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