Ronald Newton Perry

Ronald Newton Perry, 84 of Cathedral City, California, passed away on December 26, 2022, at home surrounded by family. Ronald N. Perry was born on December 30, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born to Burton Herbert Perry and Mary Elizabeth Zeltner Perry. He grew up in Missouri. He attended Paseo High school where he met the love of his life and eternal companion Betty Suzanne Ronholt Perry. As he said, "it was love at first sight." They were married in 1957. Within the first years of marriage, united (as always) in the decision to move out west. California had been their home since.
Together they raised (3) three daughters, Deborah Suzanne, Tamara Lynn, and Kathleen Anne. As daughters, we owe all that we are to the loving guidance and teachings they instilled in us; the idyllic childhood, a blessing each of us are so very grateful for. Reading this, you may think "too good to be true", but if you had the honor of meeting Ron & Sue, you immediately realize you had met (2) two God's angels here on Earth. Dad loved to receive (required actually), a text or a call from each of his girls every time we got home safely, whether our journey was long or short by car, train, or plane! A rule born out of pure love now expected of our children too.
Mom and Dad were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in May 1993. Their love of God, the Gospel coupled with their assured knowledge of families being forever, took them to the San Diego Temple where they were sealed, in January 1995, for time and all eternity. After settling in the Palm Springs area, they received the call (happily) to serve at the Redlands Temple.
Dad was a pioneer in computer technology. Starting his career with Honeywell, at a time when computers were the size of refrigerators, took up rooms if not floors of buildings, and 3 megabytes of RAM was amazing. He was responsible for innovating and writing programs, and ultimately teaching the next generation who have brought the computer to handheld devices. His love of computers and a gift for innately knowing how to program was passed onto (2) two of his (3) daughters with the eldest making Dad proud for her service as a hospice nurse!
Dad was always thinking of others and lived a life of service be that family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, ward members and/or strangers. From not only childhood, but also through his service to others, Dad (and Mom) forged friendships forever! For both, Mom and Dad, a stranger was just a friend they had not yet met.
Dad is survived by his three daughters: Deborah Suzanne (Kurt) Johnson, Tamara Lynn (Dale) Pickett, Kathleen Anne (Scott) Caudill. Grandchildren; Kyle (Katie) Johnson, Kaitlyn (JJ) Morse, Ashley (Jesse) Larson, Landon (Michelle) Day, Tessa Deno and currently (8) eight great grandchildren.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Burt and Mary Perry, his brother Roger, and his one true love, (his spouse for nearly 66 years) aka "Mom", Betty Suzanne, and her parents, Kai and Nina Ronholt. Mom and Dad were rarely apart, as close to one person that two could be. The past (2) two months of separation was so very difficult for Dad, and with his passing, we take comfort knowing they are reunited and finally together forever!
Funeral Services will be on Friday January 6th, 2023, at the Palm Desert LDS Stake building - Park View Ward. Located at 72-960 Park View Drive. Palm Desert CA 92260. A brief visitation is scheduled from 5pm 6pm and the memorial service to follow from 6pm 7pm PST.
If you would like to pay your respects, but unable to be here, we will be hosting a Zoom call for the memorial service from 6pm 7pm PST. Please reach out to Debbie Johnson at djohnsonrn2@gmail.com or call (801) 726-3553.
Burial will be at Desert Memorial Park located at 31-705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City CA, 92234 on Monday January 9th, 2023, at 9:30am PST.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn located at 69855 E. Ramon Road, Cathedral City CA 92234