Perry Allen Heard, Rock Port, Missouri, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Rock Port at the age of 64.

Perry, the son of Roy Otis “Buck” and Beverly Jean (Bratcher) Heard, was born August 8, 1958, in Fairfax, Missouri. Perry overcame many challenges throughout his life. He was born with half of his third and fourth lumbar vertebrae missing and spent a considerable amount of time in a health care facility in Mount Vernon, Missouri.

Perry and his family made their home in Watson, Missouri, while he attended Rock Port, Missouri, schools. He said, “Watson was a wonderful place to grow up.” After school, Perry and the “farm boys” would play baseball and football. “I wish I had a dime for every time Willie Holmes put a knot on my head.”

Perry was employed in the hide plant for Missouri Beef Packers, Phelps City, Missouri. He also drove a concrete truck for Don Perry in Tarkio, Missouri. He was then employed by Johnson Controls, Albany, Missouri, where he fabricated air conditioner enclosures. Perry had perfect attendance for 11.5 years before ill health forced retirement.

Perry was a former member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union #2 and was selected as a representative by his coworkers because he was so articulate. One year he represented them in Florida. He was very gifted in music, playing drums for numerous bands such as Blackwater, Shameless, and Dusty Blue Band. Perry was very thankful for his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter and grandsons. Perry also enjoyed spending time with his fat pug, Milo.

Perry was preceded in death by father, Buck Heard; twin brother, Terry Heard; nephew, Mike Mitchel; grandparents, Tom and Jewell Butt; and step brother-in-law, Johnny Amthor. Survivors include daughter, Cheyenne Schawang, Falls City, Nebraska; grandsons, Blaize Greever, Brenden Fichter, and Kohen Schawang; mother and step father, Beverly (Bill) Amthor, Rock Port; siblings, Julie Kasselman, Leavenworth, Kansas, Douglas Heard, Leavenworth, and Thomas Heard, Dodge City, Kansas; step sister, Joyce (Lee) Kingsolver, Red Oak, Iowa;  step brother, Gary (Mona) Amthor, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the United Methodist Church, Rock Port. Open visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday, prior to the service. Interment will be at Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to the Perry Heard Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.