Perry Lamond Van Orden, 53

Perry Lamond Van Orden passed away at home on Nov. 3, 2009, at the age of 53. Perry was born in Dillon to the parents of Ramond Merrill Van Orden and Frances Jean Holt on Aug. 15, 1956. He grew up in Kalispell and graduated from high school in Belle Fourche, S.D. He attended San Jacinto College in Houston. Perry served in the U.S. Air Force from 1975 to 1980 and separated honorably with the rank of staff sergeant. He served on tours overseas at Kaiserslautern Air Base in Germany and stateside at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss. Upon completion of his military service, Perry moved to Houston, where he had resided ever since. Perry s career involved providing information technology services at notable companies in Houston, including Shell Oil, American General, and most recently Texas Children s Hospital, where he installed and supported medical information systems. Perry was well-respected by his co-workers and managers as a person who could get things done, yet always had a zest for making the office an enjoyable place to work. Last spring Perry trained and rode in the challenging MS-150 bike ride from Houston to Austin with fellow employees at Texas Children s Hospital to raise money for multiple sclerosis research. Perry was preceded in death by his parents, Ramond Van Orden and Jean Holt; one brother, Daniel Widdos; and a nephew, Chauncy Shields. His survivors include his life partner, Jeff Mogyrody, of 20 years; seven siblings, including brother Bobby Widdos, brother Montie Len Van Orden, sister Pamela Jean Van Orden, brother Martin Allen Van Orden and wife Lisa, sister Catherine Ann Wright and husband Roy, sister Melanie Rae Delamata and husband Mark, and brother Marvin Lloyd Sage and wife Shaw Blanchard; and many loving nieces and nephews. Perry and his partner Jeff were active members of the International Billiards League for which Perry served as chapter president. He was an avid traveler and often planned entire itineraries around visiting family and friends who lived around the country. Whether on the road or back home in Houston, Perry was never one to miss out on attending a wide variety of performances and concerts, ranging from rock-and-roll to opera, to Broadway Theater productions. A member of Perry s immediate family had this to say: Perry was the most loving and giving person. He would have taken care of the world if he could have. When there were problems in the family, he would always give the best advice even if we didn t like it. We knew he was thinking of everyone s best interest. When we had family affairs, Perry orchestrated everything so things went smoothly. If things got out of hand, he would calm everyone down so things would be OK. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, followed by services at 3 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, in Houston.