Jimmy Ray Perkey
1946-2019
Our beloved son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, gpa
Jay is survived by his mother Bette, brother Jack, wife Cheryl, son and daughter in law David and Marie Perkey, son and daughter in law Chris and Bethany Perkey, daughter and son in law Cherie and Walter Keith, Grandkids- Josh, Jordan, Allan, Genia, Travis, David, Brandon, Chris, Lance, Dallas, Alyssa, Hannah, and Maliah, Great grandkids- Bryson, Brayden, Adilee, Brantley, Jackson, Kinzley, Cora, Mila, Braelynn, Wesley, Macy, Caden, Lane, Addison, and Kimberly.
As a young boy Jimmy found his way into trouble by creating a working radio station in the cellar of his back yard (more to come later) which eventually led to a long successful career in radio.
After high school, Jimmy signed on with the military and then upon honorable discharge he went to college in Boise, Idaho. While there, he was the drummer for a band that went on to be Paul Revere and the Raiders. He knew school was more important and finished for electronics engineering and some meteorology.
He returned to Oklahoma where he worked for multiple radio stations throughout his career. He also did weather and traffic for WKY. Some of his favorite jobs were storm chasing and remote broadcasts for OU and OSU football. He had many alias’ in the radio business- Jimmy Jay Ray Bob Perkey, Wrong Way Jose, Moneyman. He was in high demand due to his knack for turning struggling radio stations into something worth listening to because in radio “dead air” is not a good thing. However, he himself never talked about his great accomplishments.
To him, his greatest accomplishment was his family who he truly loved more than anything.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel Edmond, OK.
My condolences to your family. May the promise found at John 11:24-25 give you some comfort for your great loss.
To your heart from mine: warmth and comfort in this time of great loss. Your father and grandfather was a wonderful man. I worked with him in radio. I went on to work other places, but I tried to carry his example of positivity and excellence with me. I love you.
JP was one of the best men I ever knew and was at the top of my short list of the best radio engineers I ever had the honor to work with. God Bless you JP, he will need your help soon with the most powerful radio station in the universe.
We are very sorry for your loss of Jay. May God comfort you at this difficult time. Rest In Peace Jay.
With our deepest sympathy, Bonnie and Steve Haegele
My sincere sympathy to the Perkey family.
Jay Ray Perkey was truly the kind of person that if you met or worked with him, you would never forget him. I had the pleasure of working in radio news at WKY radio from 71-83 and again in 94 & 95. There wasn’t anything radio electronics related that he couldn’t fix and was quick to do so without being asked. He always had a smile on his face and if you weren’t in a good mood, he always had a way of “perkeying you up”. One little quirk I remember he used to get our attention in the news room or the studio was, as he passed by the door, he would flick the light switch off-and- on a few times. A great man always shines light on others and a great man is shining his light in a better place now. Thank you Jay Perkey for being such a great co-worker and friend through the years. I will miss you. I can see you now putting on that cowboy hat and driving down the road in your Corvette.
Jim Palmer
Cheryl. Wes and I are sorry about Jay. He really had heart problems for a long time. Wes and I had so much fun living next to you all in Edmond on Del Simmons. We hope you are doing okay and we know you will miss Jay a lot. Glad you have a lot of family to keep up with you and be there for you. We now live in Frisco, TX. Sending our love to you and family. Nancy and Wes Moore
Thank you Nancy and Wes, we missed you guys everyday you were not living next door, it is and will always be Nancy and Wes’s house, no matter who lives there. Yes, I will miss him a lot, we do have great kiddos and grandchildren that will make sure I’m ok. I thought of you both but I wasn’t sure how to get in touch. Hope you are doing well and take care. Love you both, Cheryl
I just learned of this and i’m so sorry for your loss. Jay was a huge role model for me early on in my radio career. I learned so much from this man i wish i had gotten the opportunity to express the impact he had on my life. No matter the issue once Jay got to the station you knew you could breath easy and that everything would be fine.
You were a Great Man Jay Perkey RIP