Mark S. Perry

Mark Perry, 69, of Bozeman, Montana, died on Monday, October 21, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital after a brief illness. He was born on May 19, 1955, in Marietta, Ohio, to Betty DeVaughn (Urschel) and Ellis Perry.

A graduate of Belpre High School, he was the first in his family to attend college and graduated from Ohio University in Athens with a degree in Microbiology. He started his career with General Consultants Inc, before becoming the lab manager at Marietta Memorial Hospital and then starting his own business, Excel Med Lab, Inc in downtown Marietta. He then transitioned into a successful career in medical sales with Abbott Laboratories and eventually Medical Chemical Corporation where he covered the Mountain West.

Mark was a man whose hobbies evolved throughout his life. His favorite sport was baseball and loved cheering on the Cincinnati Reds, especially Johnny Bench and The Big Red Machine. His passion for baseball continued with his involvement in the Marietta Bantam League and as an accomplished umpire who officiated for more than 30 years throughout the Midwest including the Division III College World Series.

However, he found his true calling in wildlife photography in 2008, which led him to create National Photography Enthusiast Group (NPEG), a photography group with members across the country. Mark also amassed a significant online following with his Bridger Peaks Photography page on Facebook that chronicled his daily adventures in his favorite place in the world, Yellowstone National Park. It was his love of Yellowstone and the amazing animals that call it home that lead to Mark and his wife to relocate to the Bozeman area in 2015. As an avid animal lover, he believed that humans should advocate for them and be a voice for the voiceless.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Kimberly Perry; son, Jared Perry and cherished daughter-in-law, Rachel Perry; along with his latest joy, his first grandson, Brooks Perry, all of Bozeman, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty DeVaughn and Ellis Perry; stepfathers, Otis Blackwell and Russell DeVaughn; and sister, Pennie Gant (Perry).

There will be no service at his request. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to his favorite charity, Wolves of the Rockies, PO Box 742, Stevensville, MT 59870.  (https://www.wolvesoftherockies.org/product/one-time-donation/)