Oscar Latimer Percy passed away on Sept. 14, 2018, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz., surrounded by his family.
Oscar was born on the family farm near Carlyle, on Aug. 10, 1925. He was the fourth of six sons born to Mack Joseph and Pearl Pansy Latimer Percy. The family moved to Iola where Oscar attended Lincoln and Carpenter grade schools, Iola Junior High and Iola High School, graduating in 1943. He worked at various jobs, growing up during the Depression to help make ends meet for his family.
He joined the Navy in 1943 during World War II. He was trained in explosives for the U.S. Navy Underwater Combat Demolition Unit and participated in the invasion of southern France. In 1945, he was reassigned to the Pacific Theater and to Guam. He returned to the U.S. in 1946 and attended the University of Kansas.
On Aug. 29, 1947, he married his longtime Iola hometown girlfriend, Mary Jeanne Campbell. After their marriage, they moved to Arizona where Oscar graduated in 1951 from Arizona State College with a degree in architecture and architectural engineering and drafting. After graduating, they returned to Kansas City where Oscar was employed by Larkin and Associates Engineering with his brother, Claude. In 1959, the family moved back to Phoenix and he was employed by John Carollo Engineers and spent the next 30 years as resident project engineer and inspector for various projects throughout the southwest U.S. He retired from this firm in 1992 following a diagnosis of heart disease.
Oscar and his family returned to Kansas annually for family reunions for many years until his failing health prohibited his travel.
Oscar loved playing golf but his favorite activity was fishing, especially with his brothers. He also enjoyed his garden and woodworking.
Oscar is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Jeanne Campbell Percy; three sons, Robin Scott Percy, Christopher Gene Percy and Daniel Robert Percy, all of Phoenix; by two grandchildren, Jessica Marie Percy Deelstra and her husband Michael, and Jeremy Ryan Percy and his fiancee, Tanya Merk; by two great-grandchildren, Riley Deelstra and Katie Mae Deelstra; by one brother, Claude Orris Percy of Shawnee Mission; by two sisters-in-law, Joan Kathleen Burke Percy of Manhattan and Jeanne Ann Masterson Percy of Iola; and by many nieces and nephews.
Oscar was preceded in death by his oldest son, Michael Kirk Percy; by his father Mack (Michael) Joseph (Gervais) Percy; by his mother, Pearl Pansy Latimer Percy, by his father-in-law, Dr. Robert Finley Campbell; by his mother-in-law, Mary Kathrine Hays Campbell; by his four brothers, Robert John Percy, Carl Leslie Percy, Eugene Mack Percy and William Glenn Curly Percy; by two sisters-in-law, Ramona Zoe Riepen Percy and Margaret Yvonne Dreher Percy; and by one nephew, Thomas M. Percy.
Funeral home services for Oscar are provided by Dignity Memorial: Advantage Funeral and Cremation in Phoenix, Ariz. A Celebration of Life Service will be held by the family at a later date.
Condolences may be left for the family at the funeral home website or cards may be sent to the family c/o Mary Jeanne Percy, 208 E. Bluefield, Phoenix AZ 85022.
