Albert Perry III

On December 19, 2020, Bert Perry, loving husband, brother, son, and overall wonderful human being, passed away at the age of 55 in an avalanche while doing one of his favorite things - backcountry skiing in the San Juan Mountains - with his good friend Jeff Paffendorf.

Bert was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the middle child of Grady and Lalia Perry. He attended high school in Dunwoody, Georgia and earned his Bachelor, degree in Business at Berry College in the hills of Northwest Georgia, where he ran cross country. During college breaks, he would make road trips out West, where he would spend most of his time rock climbing. After graduating, Bert spent six years working with troubled youth in an outdoor therapeutic program as well as honing his construction skills. Asa passionate and talented outdoor athlete, Bert left his mark throughout the Southeast by establishing many bold and legendary rock climbs. When the Southeastern weather was inhospitable to climbing, he would explore caves or paddle or mountain bike. Ultimately, the big mountains and desert canyons of the Southwest beckoned, and Bert answered with optimism and enthusiasm. He moved to Ophir, Colorado in 1993 where he fell in love with backcountry skiing and excelled at ice climbing. Bert also traveled the world, climbing in South Africa, Namibia, Mexico, Denali, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Italy, and Greece. He noted that none of his climbing experiences were as harrowing as his extended canoe and climbing excursion in the Canadian Cirque of the Unclimbables, battling whitewater and sub-freezing temperatures, as well as a grizzly encounter. On June 27, 2009, Bert married a Georgia girl, Angie, who had likewise been drawn to the allure of the Southwest. They married in a small ceremony in the San Juan mountains, surrounded by the majestic peaks of Snowdon, Grand Turk, and Sultan, in the company of family and close friends. As true soul mates, they made Durango, Colorado their home and shared many adventures climbing and mountain biking in the deserts of Utah, the mountains of Colorado, and far beyond. They were slowly ticking off the Colorado 14ers together on summer road trips.

Bert was an avid backcountry skier, skiing many of the classic descents in the San Juan mountains, and competing in ski mountaineering races throughout Colorado. He was also an avid elk hunter, he surmised that hunting was simply another reason to be in the mountains and to push himself physically. The off-trail mileage and vertical gain he covered in a single day hunting elk were truly amazing and exhausting for those he convinced to join him. Bert was an excellent builder, and ran his own construction business out of Durango for the last 17 years. He was known for his meticulous work and his honesty. His easy-going nature was an asset, and a balance to his intensity. In recent years, Bert transitioned to selling real estate and was a natural given his friendly nature, honesty, construction background, business sense and attention to detail. However, he could not give up construction completely and was building his and Angie's own home at the time of his death.

Bert's greatest accomplishment is his legacy of being a true friend. He nurtured and cherished his friendships. He was compassionate, caring, and generous. He was known as "Uncle Bert" to many of his friends' children. He continues to be an inspiration, as an athlete and as a human being. He will be dearly missed by many. Bert is survived by his wife Angie Perry of Durango, CO; his mother Eulalia (Lalia) Perry of Atlanta, GA; his father Albert Grady Perry Jr. and wife Barbara of Sarasota, FL; his sister Juliet Demaree and husband Doug of Orlando, FL; sister Dawn Perry of Atlanta, GA; nephews Ryan and Chris Demaree; niece Taylor Titus; and many other cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends.