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Perry was born in Waukegan IL in 1908. His family moved to Michigan when he was a teenager and he attended Three Oaks High School graduating first in his class. He went on to the University of Michigan where he majored in chemistry and also earned 6 varsity letters in cross-country and track. He was the Big Ten champion in the mile and two mile events.
He graduated in 1931 and was invited to train for the 1932 Olympics. However, he could afford neither the time nor money to do so, as he went on to graduate School earning a PhD in Chemistry. He married Genevieve Davis in 1933 and went to work as a scientist for Abbot Labs in North Chicago IL.
In the mid 40's he decided to go to seminary at Neshota House in Watertown, WI, and was subsequently ordained as an Episcopalian priest. He served for many years in Parishes in Wisconsin, Texas and Michigan. Eventually he turned to teaching and spent the final years of his career teaching high school chemistry in Toledo Ohio.