It seems like just yesterday I was getting my bearhug from Michael at the Annual. He was one in a million - so in love with Jamie - so fun to be around. He has left an amazing legacy, I am lucky to have known him.

My Aunt Patti and Michael use to babysit me when I was little and I have a memory of a gentle man with red hair . . . years later I had the pleasure of meeting Jamie and Michael (again) - so sorry for this loss - he's with you Jamie in spirit -

To Jamie
I was looking for art shows online and ended up here.
I just wanted to say Michael was a special person and I will miss him!
If I can do anything or you need anything e-mail me.
Friend forever Bob

Jamie, Charles and I were very sorry to hear of Michael. He looked so great in Sacramento last year. So happy and so happy to be with you. We always enjoyed visiting and talking with him. We will be thinking of you and sending big hugs to you.

Michael was such a kind and gentle soul ... and worked so hard helping Jamie get everything where it needed to be when it needed to be there! Especially enjoyed their visits to the National Capital Cat Show, where my husband Brent would chat up Michael on a variety of things, mostly involving history and other shared interests. We will miss him so much ...

My heartfelt blessings to you Jamie that Michael leaves behind. As you move through this hard time, I'm confident that you'll find moments of grace when you need them most. Michael's was obviously a life well lived. May he rest in peace.

Uncle Mike -- you will be missed! It was always a fun adventure and we never knew what would come next. I have fond childhood memories of early camping trips, treks to art shows around the state, garlic festivals, and incredible slow cooked pork with copious wine in Sonoma... Mike's love for our Aunt Jamie and his spirit for life were crystal clear! We will toast you forever!!

I remember having dinner with Michael and Jamie in Sonoma when my daughters and I traveled there from Kentucky...what a great time...and then years later...another dinner at Pat's Steak house here in Ky...we loved to share meals..and each other's company...he will be sorely missed.

Bruce and I first met Jamie and Michael at the San Mateo CFA International and I gave Jamie a bad time about not having a drawing featuring Curls. At a TICA show in Primm, NV she started on that drawing. At Santa Monica she had that picture. I saw it was sold and every time I asked Michael about he walked away, he could not tell a lie, Bruce bought it for me. Michael we will miss you.

We met Michael and Jamie back in the early 80's (when we were all young) at the Sonora Fire On The Mtn. show. Michael was always full of laughter and had a way of brightening up anyone's day. Will truly miss him and his bright smile.

i met michael in 1984. and every meeting we ever shared involved laughter. thats why i'd smile every time i saw him over the years. and i'll smile every time i think about him in the future. i knew him well, but i wish i'd known him better. he'll be missed. rest in peace mike.

There are people in ones life that change it for the better, Michael is one of those. From Seattle to San Diego to Snow Bird, there are too many memories to relate them all but a better person, there is none. I love you Michael.

I started out on burgundy,
But soon hit the harder stuff.

Jamie:
I was so sorry to read that Michael had passed. I will truly miss talking politics and cats with him. My heart goes out to you and I am thinking of you.

I first met Michael and Jamie in the So. Cal area in the 1980's. For some reason I always thought Michael's name was *Fred* and we jokingly referred to this whenever we saw each other at shows all over the country. I don't think I have ever seen Jamie and Michael apart, they were such a special and loving couple and always made everyone smile. Rest in peace dear *Fred*.

Our dinners & drinks will always be treasured. The laughter was loud and boisterous - I almost passed out from it! Just the mention of "Oildale" and we all would burst out laughing! So grateful and honored to have a piece of Michael in my life. You know Jamie that these pieces will always remain for all of us and you will see & feel them each time we get together..

It isn't often that you get to know the artists, and we all knew that Michael was also a true artist. To know these two artists was to love them both equally. Our home reflects our love for their art. The meals that we were fortunate to share with them now provide a vivid memory of the wonderful shaggy bear of a man that was Michael. You are misssed dear friend. Till we meet again.

I first met Michael & Jamie back in the early 80's, when we were setup next to one another at Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. After 4 days of eating mall food, reciting "Dylan lyrics" and doing a LOT of laughing, I made one of the most important friendships of my life. Years of fun, laughter, and Dylanizms would follow. I miss you my friend...

There is so much more to talk about, so I'll take it one memory at a time. One "iconic" incident was when we arranged a meeting (or shall I say confrontation) between Michael and his evil twin, "Crazy George" at the Capitola Art & Wine. Crazy George walked into their booth and screamed, "It's Crazy Michael." Michael responded, "It's Crazy George." As they say, "the rest is history."

I've always been a "hugger" all my life. I thought I was one of the best...UNTIL I met Michael! But after 27 years of meaningful, sincere, hugs at the Stockton Asparagus Festival, I have to admit...Michael's THE best. He could squeeze the pee out of me, look me in the eyes and earnestly ask, "How the hell are you, my friend?" Michael, I look forward to our future hugs in another place.

Some people pass through life and barely touch another. Michael touched everyone he met in the most positive way. He will be missed by many but forgotten by none.

Over the years, I enjoyed many wonderful and in-depth conversations with Michael. We also shared a love of music and in particular the songs of Bob Dylan. Michael would always segue a pertinent Dylan line into our conversation...Dylan had already said it! For you Michael, a line from Bob..."Things should start to get interesting just about now." A big bear hug to you my friend.

I met Jamie and Michael in the mid-80's at an art show in Sacramento. Most of the time I saw Michael he was in an outfit for the Harvest Fest or some such. My favorite was his Hawaiian get-up because he looked so natural in it and because they spoke so fondly of their Hawaiian getaways... I imagine that's where he's resting right now. beach, sunset, mai tai! Aloha, Michael!

Met Michael and Jamie at a art festival in Northern California years ago. Michael was always ready with a smile or a hug or a welcome into their booth! He loved life, his lovely wife, their cross country escapades to the cat shows, everything that was about joy and life and the meaning of the word living life to the fullest. We should all be so lucky to have a lived a life like his!

Fun, gregarious, nice Michael...what a great guy! We always enjoyed seeing & chatting with him and Jamie at the shows, and catching up by phone every so often. Remember St. Anthony? :) Luckily we had a chance to meet for dinner in Anaheim last October. It's as if we never missed a beat catching up! Thoughts & prayers are with you & your soul mate. Love & hugs to you Jamie.

A smile that could light up - never mind a room - an entire showhall.
The love that Michael and Jamie shared overflowed and touched everything they did and everyone they met.

We’ve known Michael and Jamie since the 80’s from shows in the San Diego area.  Michael! Michael always had a smile – a big smile. We were thrilled last year when they stopped by the house to view our J. S. Perry “gallery.” Seeing them at the shows is always a highlight for us – we’re so sad that he is gone. We’re so happy that we knew him.

I met Michael and Jamie at a cat show in San Diego. They made me feel like we'd been friends forever. When we found out we were all from Chicago and LOVED Italian Beef sandwiches, we compared where we could find the elusive sandwiches in California. Last time we discussed it, Michael was attempting to recreate the recipe on his own. Whenever I have a beef sandwich I'll think of Michael

I've only known Jamie and Michael a few years, not many like most of you, but in those few and memorable years, everyone has already stated what I know....smiles, never an unkind word, love of cats, LOVE OF JAMIE. Thanks for the memories, Michael, and thanks for the JBT "portrait", Jamie! You are both in our home forever! <3

Michael,
I saw a shooting star tonight, and I thought of you...

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
And may you staaaaaaaaay forever young.

I met Mike in the hallway of the Music Department in 1958 of Hillsdale High School. He played the Alto Sax in Band, and I played the Violin in Orchestra   What a whirl-wind romance we had, dating for over 4 years  I do have a special soft spot in my heart for my ‘first-love’… Run free with the ‘boys’, who were waiting for you to arrive.  Special condolences to Jamie, Danny & Bobby.

Back in the 80's, Chuck taught Mike to cut a mat on the hood of our car. Thus began a long friendship. We remember Mike's love, hugs and smile when it came to you. We love you and hope your wonderful memories sustain you in this time and forever.
Love, Chuck and Marilyn Salomon

So sorry for the loss of your best friend in life.
I treasure meeting you both at show and love the few prints I bought, my first was the Scottish Fold.

We're in the big red Buick, top down, on arrow-straight Oakville Grade Road aimed directly at the Oakville Grocery. Mike is at the wheel. We clock 105 mph. What could possibly go wrong? Thanks for the thrills Chef.

When I think of Michael Perry, the word big comes to mind. He was a big man, with a big voice that he often used to express big opinions. As he was so fond of telling me, "if you shoulda, you woulda", And Michael lived his life doing all of the woulda's. He lived life hard, and he lived life big. He will be remembered big, and in our hearts, he will stay forever young.

My uncle was deeply loved by his family. From camping in the Smoky Mountains as a child to visiting him as an adult on business in California (road trip - Stockton Asparagus Festival!), my Uncle Mike always made me laugh and smile. The last thing he said to me, with a chuckle, while helping his mother in her final days was: "we just gotta keep on, keepin' on" His words keep me going

When Mike and Jamie drove Interstate 80 to the east coast or back toward home, they'd always call and at least "wave at me" as they passed the Gretna exit. Last July they drove through over the lunch hour and we met at a deli for ; Mike loved a good deli. Don't know how much he liked this one, but we ALL agreed, the company was excellent; a precious memory. and yes, Dylan rocks!!! love you

Big heart and kind soul. From the very beginning I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. His love for Jamie and their pets was endless. I will miss you my dear friend and will keep you in my heart forever.

To look at Michael looking at Jamie was to see very clearly how much he loved and adored her. And it went in both directions. Even for those, like me, who saw him seldom, he will be missed.

My memories of Michael are from the Harvest Festivals in Sacramento back in the 90's. The marvelous hat, impish smile, joy in life, his obvious love of Jamie and the fur children, and his immense pride in Jamie's artistic talent... all of these remain although his essence has translated to another plane. Jamie, I wish you the solace of happy memories. I grieve for your loss.

I recall driving north on 5 from a show in southern Calif, leaving at least an hour before Jamie and Mike, and a 150 or so miles later, he passed me honking and waving.

Jamie's art has made us so happy for the last 15 years. We first met you at the Westchester County Center cat show in the 1990's. My home office is a better place to hang out, because of your wonderful art work! Our hearts go out to you in your time of grief. You don't deserve to be so sad, when you make all of your fans so happy. Hugs to you in your time of need.

I've never seen Jamie without Michael.  He clearly was an incredibly significant part of her life and her work.  I know he will be missed but there are many wonderful memories of those 34 years together. Those will sustain Jamie.

34 years ago, I found my soul-buddy. Michael must have been part cat: he lived his one life to the fullest, making it seem more like 9. Michael was my mentor, my partner, my best critic and personal Iron Chef. He was my very best friend, and most importantly, the Love of my Life. He could be brutally honest, funny, wise, and always opinionated. He never sweated the small stuff...