LeRoy R. Perry Sr., DC, attained his BS degree from UC Berkeley, subsequently attended UCSF Medical School, and taught chemistry and anatomy at the Oakland Chiropractic College, which led to his decision to become a doctor of chiropractic in 1948. He was student-body president of his graduating class at the Oakland Chiropractic College, and practiced for 55 years in Oakland and San Leandro, Calif.
Dr. Perry Sr. married Alice M. Andrade in 1941, and in 1942 enlisted in the Coast Guard. He became an officer and was a first responder to the Port Chicago explosion in 1944, and served in the American invasion force landings in Tarawa and Saipan, Japan. He received a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the war.
He and his wife Alice were the proud parents of six children. He is survived by Janice Coleman-Knight, James Perry, Esq., LeRoy R. Perry Jr., DC, Jerry Perry and Judy Alice Day, DC. He is predeceased by one daughter, JoAnn Marie Lenhart.
Dr. Perry Sr. was a pioneer in the field of sports medicine and also was one of the first DCs to be appointed as an independent medical examiner by the Department of Industrial Relations, State of California, in 1979. He was first certified as a disability evaluator for injured workers in 1975, and was instrumental in the fight for chiropractors to have the right to treat injured workers. He was well-respected by both plaintiff and defense attorneys for his fair assessment of injured workers.
Dr. Perry Sr. filed a well-known worker's compensation claim in 1984 against the NFL, and was a staff council consultant to the NFL Players Association. He treated players of the world champion Oakland Athletics in the 1970s, managers of the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals in the 1980s, and various other MLB players. He also treated Oakland Raiders players and amateur athletes.
Dr. Perry Sr.'s legacy in sports medicine has been carried on by his son, LeRoy R. Perry Jr., DC, and daughter, Judy Alice Day, DC. Dr. Perry Jr. was the first DC to become an official Olympic team doctor in 1976, and has served in that capacity for five Olympics, opening the doors for all chiropractors to be recognized as team doctors.
On March 4, 2017, in a homecoming speech given by Dr. Peter Martin, president of Palmer Florida, Dr. Martin acknowledged Dr. Perry Jr. as the "Father of Sports Chiropractic" Thus, it is only fitting to remember his father, Dr. Perry Sr., as the "Grandfather of Sports Chiropractic."
Dr. Perry Sr. leaves behind a chiropractic legacy in his son and daughter – who like her father, has treated members of the Oakland Athletics, world champion San Francisco Giants and Oakland Raiders; as well as a grandson, James Day, who is presently attending Life Chiropractic College West. He will not be forgotten by those he cared for or those who knew and loved him. He was a very humble man who believed actions speak louder than words.
Article / obituary submitted by the Perry family.
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