Thomas Grant Perrin
Thomas Grant Perrin
Coralville
Thomas Grant Perrin of Coralville died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, after a two-year struggle with cancer.
Friends are invited to gather Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Free Medical Clinic, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Tom was born Oct. 24, 1965, in University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to Craig L. Perrin and Marlene Jorgensen Perrin. He attended Henry Sabin Elementary School, Southeast Junior High School and City High.
Tom was in the U.S. Navy for four years, serving aboard the nuclear carrier USS Carl Vinson as a supply chain leader. He was aboard the Vinson as the last carrier to sail from the Alameda Naval Air Station, beginning a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf and IndoPac region.
Tom spent most of his life as an auto mechanic, working for Cantebury Amoco for many years and then establishing his own business, Aero Automotive and Truck Service. A highlight of his career was spending two years on the drag racing circuit as a crew member for Jack Wyatt’s nitro funny car. The team placed second in International Hot Rod Association competition each year.
Tom struggled for many years with health issues that began after his honorable discharge from the Navy. Eventually he was not able to do the heavy work he had been accustomed to.
He sold his business and enrolled in a two-year program at Kirkwood Community College, where he was on the dean’s list. Shortly after graduation, he finally got a diagnosis—an advanced case of cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments kept him alive at least a year longer than was originally predicted.
He is survived by his mother of Coralville and brother, Craig W. Perrin of Woodland, Calif., as well as an aunt, cousins and friends, including Sebastian Chalkley, Leland Belding, Elaine Skiye Allen, Scott Kennedy, David Semken, Ron Blakley and others who helped him substantially during his final two years.
He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.