Lester Perison

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, friend and veteran Lester Charles “Les” Perison, on October 13, 2021 at the Boise VA Medical Center. Lester was born in Orchard Park, NY to Bertha and Arvid Perison on December 11, 1933. He attended school in Orchard Park and upon High School graduation was hired by the local railroad. He joined the Army in 1954 and was selected to play with the drum and bugle corps. Upon discharge from the Army, he enrolled at the University of Michigan’s School of Forestry, attended the Ranger School and began his career with the U.S. Forest Service. During this time he met his wife, Judy Tidd, and the two married on June 11th, 1960.They went on to have two children and Les’ career took them across the country to Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Idaho and California. Les retired from the Forest Service while he and Judy were residing in Benicia, CA. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2010.

After Judy‘s passing in 2012, Les moved to Boise to be closer to family. There he found a new group of friends that became his extended family. He was a member of the Happy Hoofers walking group and was an avid bowler in the Young at Heart league at Westy’s Garden Lanes. Les was an ardent Idaho Steelheads fan and enjoyed attending games as a season ticket holder with his son Mark. He loved his family and friends and shared many special moments and mimosas with them over the past 9 years. Les loved taking his family to Jackpot and could always be found cashing out big jackpots on the penny machines.

One of Les’ greatest joys was found at the Idaho Humane Society, where he met and rescued a very special cat. Because of the harrowing circumstances of the rescue, Les named his new friend “Lucky.”  The two became fast friends and their companionship was a highlight of Les’ life over the past years. 

Les was a kind, wonderful man who gave his time over the years to various civic and charitable organizations. He was always generous and supported several causes over the years.  He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Les was preceded in his death by his wife Judy and is survived by his two children Mark Perison and Leslie (Roger) Bishop, two grandsons Andrew and Devin Withoft and his amazing cat Lucky. A tribute page can be found at IdahoCremationSociety.com and a Celebration of his life will be held on October 24, 2021, at the Cottonwood Grille from 2p,-5pm. All friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Les would love for a donation to be made to the Idaho Humane Society or a local charity close to your heart.

The family would also like to thank the staff and doctors at the Boise VA Medical Center who took such wonderful care of him.