Perry, L. Tom, 1922-

L. Tom Perry (1922- ), member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

L. Tom Perry, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born 5 August 1922, in Logan, Utah, to Leslie Perry and Elsie Nora Sonne Perry. From 1942–1944, L. Tom Perry served a LDS mission to the Northern States Mission. Following his mission, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, he enrolled in Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He married Virginia Lee in 1947, and two years later, in 1949, he graduated from Utah State with a degree in Finance. Elder Perry and his wife Virginia had three children: Barbara, Linda Gay, and Lee Thomas.

From 1951 – 1953, L. Tom Perry worked as an auditor in Boise, Idaho, for the C.C. Anderson Company. From 1953 – 1962, he worked in Sacramento, California, as a controller for Broadway-Hale, Inc. From 1962 – 1966, he worked in New York as a controller for Associated Merchandising Corporation, and as vice president and secretary-treasurer of Aimcee Wholesale Corporation; and from 1966 – 1972, he worked in Boston, Massachusetts, as vice president of finance for the Lechmere Sales Corporation. While living in the Boston area, he also served as president of the Boston LDS Stake.

In 1972, L. Tom Perry was asked to serve as Assistant to the Council of Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church, and in the spring of 1974, he was ordained to the office of Apostle in the LDS Church. That same year, Elder Perry’s wife, Virginia Perry, died. In 1976, Elder Perry married Barbara Dayton. Most recently, in 2004, Elder Perry was asked by LDS Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, to serve as Area President of the Europe Central Area.

From the guide to the L. Tom Perry papers., circa 1922-2000, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)