Francis PERCY Obituary (1931 – 2021) – Spokane, WA

Our Dad and Poppa, LTC Francis J. Percy USA ret, “Frank”, passed away very peacefully, with his 2 daughters by his side, on November 12, 2021. He took his last breath as he was listening to his favorite songs, Don’t Fence Me In’ & ‘Follow Me’. He was at home surrounded by his art work and memories of a life well lived. He has finally been reunited with his cherished wife Jo Ann, in the peace and love of Christ.   Dad was born March 20,1931 in Spokane, Washington to Joseph Francis and Myrtle Adeline Percy. Because of the Great Depression, the family moved frequently and spent much of Spring through Fall living in a tent, located near the Magee Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) Camp in the mountains of North Idaho. Next they moved with the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPRR) to Plains, Montana where his great love for all things outdoors continued to grow. The family bought a cabin on the Thomas River where they spent as much time as possible. By 8, he was fly fishing and hunting alongside his parents and at 11 they bought him his first .22 rifle. He knew the woods of that area like the back of his hands… Even though blind, when on a road trip through the area in 2019 with his family, he’d tell us to pull up to a certain tree and describe what we would find behind it and sure enough, he would be absolutely right!  In 1947, the family transferred with the NPRR to Pullman, Washington. Dad finished up High School there. He was on the football & track teams. Class president in his senior year. A group from West Point came and gave a recruiting talk. And Dad was hooked! He received his appointment to West Point from Congressman Hal Holmes. He entered the class of 1954 in July 1950. His Mom saved every letter and artifact from him during his years at WP. They fill 5 3-inch binders and are so much fun to read and get to know our young Dad!  Upon graduation, he began his 21 year career. He was commissioned into the Infantry. During his pre-deployment leave to Ft. Richardson, Alaska, he met the love of his life, JoAnn Schmedding and after 4 whirlwind, cross state dates, they were engaged to be married. He flew back from Alaska for the wedding and formed an inseparable bond and partnership that lasted over 52 years till her death in 2009.  The life of the military took the growing family all over. After Alaska and the addition of two sons, they then went to Ft. Benning, Georgia where Dad was first in his class at Officer Infantry school. He was then assigned to instruct ROTC in Pullman at WSU and also added two daughters while there. He then was off alone to Korea. As a new Major, he commanded Company A, 1st Mech. Bn, 8th Cay. along the DMZ. Then back to Ft. Lewis where his orders to Vietnam were canceled because he was picked to go to the British Staff College as an exchange student in jolly old England. The Percys made many friends there among the foreign Officers families. One friend, Fred Akufa, returned to Ghana to become President. (and be overthrown and executed shortly after.) Another friend was second in command of the group who deposed Idi Amin. Dad was selected for promotion to Lt. CoI. and received his orders to Vietnam. On Dec. 11, 1968, while “prepping” an LZ for an airmobile combat assault, Dad’s CC helicopter was shot down and crashed into the jungle. He was med evac’d to Japan before ending up at Fairchild AFB hospital for a 10 month recovery. And recover he did! Then we were off to his beloved Alaska again and Ft. Richardson for four years and finally to Ft Benning Georgia where in 1975 he retired.  Upon retirement, the Percys returned to their beloved Pacific Northwest and established their home in Spokane Valley, Washington. They named their home “Grasshopper House” for the 19 moves in 21 years and hoped their “hopping” days were over. And they were.  Dad was a realtor, and business owner. He owned Super Sonic Car Wash 2nd & Jefferson, downtown. He spent a lot of time in the woods at Fish Trap Lake, teaching his grandkids the joys of the outdoors, making countless memories together. He loved hunting with his father-in-law and his Schmedding clan brothers up in the Blues. Dad and Mom were square dancers with Star Shooters.  Members of St. Mary Catholic Church, God and family were most important to them. They spent many hours entertaining not only their kids and grandkids but our large extended family of many nieces and nephews.  In 2018 he moved into the Good Samaritan Towers (Independent living apartments). He always would say ” I’m a little bit deaf, and a lot more blind, but I still have giddy up in my behind!” And boy did he. He lived his life fully till the end. He never let his blindness stop him from anything. He filled his days with rooting for Gonzaga, and following whichever football team his nephew was coaching for , so this year it was “Go Auburn!” He was writing the many stories of his life, and conversing with friends and family on the phone during the covid lockdown. He even joined the Towers Wii bowling league and he was not too bad.  He fell and broke his hip on Oct. 29th. His heart was no longer strong enough to get him through this one, this time. But he said several times during the ups and downs of his last hospital stay, “I’ve had a good run and a great life. Thank you all who have shared it with me.” He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. Also, by his sister Shirley O’Sullivan Ryon. He is survived by his four children: Frank (Kathy) Percy, Spokane, Joe (Sharon) Percy, Mesa, Arizona; Mary (Bill) Shelton, Spokane Valley, and Alisa Desjarlais. He has five grandchildren and five great grandkids, along with his Schmedding family siblings and many nieces and nephews. He loved them all. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. Dad loved Meals On Wheels and Catholic Charities. **To read Frank’s complete obituary, please go to www.HolyCrossofSpokane.org   Services included:** Memorial Celebration of Life, November 26th at 3pm in the Community Center at Good Samaritan. 17121 E 8th Ave. Spokane Valley**Vigil/Rosary service, November 26th at 8pm, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Rd. Spokane Valley.** Funeral Mass, November 27th at 11 am at St Mary Catholic church, 304 S Adams Rd., Spokane Valley** Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery at 2pm with full Military Honors, 17825 E. Trent Ave. Spokane Valley