Claremore Mayor Dies

Officials say Claremore Mayor Mickey Perry passed away Monday night from a heart attack.  He was 66.

Perry was elected mayor in April 2011. He retired as Claremore's police chief in January of that year. He joined the police department in 1969 after working as an undercover narcotics officer for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

He was devoted to his community and served on numerous boards.

According to the City of Claremore's web site, Perry served on numerous boards and committees at both the State and local level including, but not limited to, the Blue Ribbon Committee, State Drug and Alcohol Policy Board, Region 2 Oklahoma Homeland Security Council, OSBI Commission, Regional 911 Board, William W. Barnes Children's Advocacy Center, Tri-County CASA, Rogers County Youth Shelter, Emergency Medical Services Board and Share the Spirit Foundation.

Claremore city manager Jim Thomas said one of Perry's favorite activities was serving the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheons held at the local Elk's Lodge. He also was an enthusiastic organizer on behalf of "Share the Spirit" which distributes gifts and food baskets to families during the holiday season.

He was just inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame on Saturday.

12/16/2013 Related Story: Stanley Glanz, Mickey Perry Inducted Into Law Enforcement Hall Of Fame

Mickey Perry is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Jennifer Lewis and husband Randy, and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.