Bob Perry

Robert "Bob" Perry of Columbia, returned to the Lord on March 17, 2026, at the age of 87. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor, Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Miriam, his sister Sue, daughter Lew Ann, son-in-law Charlie, daughter-in-law Melanie, and grandchildren Jarrett and Stephanie. He was preceded in death by his son John, and brother Don.

Bob was born on December 6, 1938, in Carthage, Missouri to Claude O. and Dorothy P. (Beard) Perry. After graduating from Carterville High School in 1956, he entered the United States Army. Upon completion, he attended Southwest Baptist College where he met and married Miriam Ann Young on August 31,1958. He graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology/Sociology.

Through continued studies with the National Center for State Courts, he became a Fellow with the Institute of Court Management, graduating at the United States Supreme Court. During his career, he served as an instructor in Criminal and Juvenile Justice at Lincoln University, Truman State University, Columbia College, and Moberly Area Community College.

Bob started his professional career in the justice system in 1962 as a Juvenile Officer in Jasper County, Missouri. From 1964 -1970 he served with the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole as a Parole Officer in St. Louis, Carthage, and Columbia, then was promoted to a Supervisor in St. Louis, returning to Columbia as a Supervisor and District Supervisor. A significant event in his career was being the founding Director of Reality House, the first community-based residential alternative sentencing program for youthful adult male offenders in Missouri and continued serving on the Reality House Board of Directors.

In 1973, he was appointed as Juvenile Officer/Director of Court Services in the 13th Judicial Circuit, consisting of Boone and Callaway Counties, later resulting in a title change to Court Administrator, a capacity in which he served until retirement in 2004. He served as the Circuit Court representative in the Court House expansion. He was responsible for establishing the Juvenile Justice Center in 1974 which was named, on his retirement, as the Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center. In 1997, he received the Andrew W. Higgins Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice.

Following a brief retirement, in 2006 he returned to serve with the Office of State Courts Administrator as the Missouri Coordinator of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, initially funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. There were four original JDAI sites - St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Kansas City, and Springfield. By his JDAI retirement in 2015, 17 Judicial Circuits in Missouri were enrolled in the Initiative. AECF considered Missouri as one of three states to serve as a model to other states joining the Initiative.

During his 50-year career, he was noted as a visionary, advocating and introducing progressive services, and advancing quality and efficiencies within the Missouri Justice System. His leadership earned the 13th Circuit distinction of being the Missouri model of Jury Management as well as Court Performance Standards, including the first Mental Health Court in Missouri, Drug Court, Pretrial Services, Jury Services, Juvenile Services, Court Automation and Management. He chaired the Supreme Court Automation Committee for six years.

Bob had a deep and abiding Christian faith that resonated throughout his personal and professional life. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at age 6. He served as a pastor during his senior year of high school and while a student at Southwest Baptist College. He remained active in the Baptist Church for life, serving as an Ordained Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Gideon, owner of Lemstone Parable Bookstore, and even led a Discipleship Conference to African pastors in Burkina Faso in 1985.

Bob had a limitless capacity for people and a strong desire to make a difference. With quiet and powerful patience, he believed in people’s goodness and potential, encouraging and supporting others to succeed and giving them the opportunity to start again. Out of a spirit of grace, with a generous, compassionate, and humble heart…he served.

A service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 11:00-12:00 at Parkade Baptist Church (2102 N Garth Ave) in Columbia. Following the service, from 12:00-2:00, there will be time for celebration of Bob's life and fellowship, with an opportunity to share memories with family, friends, and colleagues.