Perry Ashley Arthur

Perry Ashley Arthur died on August 12, 2026 from Dementia with Lewy Body disease at the age of 72 in Plano, Texas under the watchful and attentive care of his wife, Karen. Perry was born on June 6, 1954, in Houston, Texas to Harry Sinclair Arthur, a World War II hero pilot, and Betty Jane Garrett Arthur, a homemaker. Perry had two older brothers Harry Jr. and John Garrett, who predeceased Perry. Raised by a World War II hero pilot, the values of getting the job done, being humble, and never boastful were instilled into Perry at a very young age. Perry would uphold and maintain these values throughout his life. Sports and competition were valued growing up. Perry excelled at baseball and golf, playing both at Bryan High School in Bryan, Texas, and earning a golf scholarship at the University of Houston and thereafter transferred to Texas A&M on a baseball scholarship in 1974. Perry’s family moved from Galena Park, Texas to Bryan, Texas when he was 12 where Perry’s father managed Hickman Garrett Volkswagen, and thereafter opened Arthur Chrysler Plymouth in Bryan, Texas. Being a car dealership owner’s son allowed Perry to drive the newest and hottest sports models, including a dune buggy and a red Plymouth Satellite Sebring convertible. It was in the dune buggy that his future wife, Karen Sue Davis, along with several other girls getting a spin in his dune buggy around the baseball parking lot, remarked how "cute" Perry was. Perry and Karen officially met in the Fall of 1970 and went “steady”, like true storybook high school sweethearts, and would marry in 1975, remaining married for over 51 years. Together they enjoyed years of companionship, travel, and cherished time with friends and family. Their traveling adventures took them all over the globe with trips to South America, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, Norway, France, Italy, and Antarctica. Perry and Karen had two daughters: Allison Ann and Paige Ashley, both of whom would graduate from Texas A&M University, become mothers of their own, and have successful careers.

Perry turned professional at golf in 1976 while Karen and he still resided in Bryan, Texas. Perry worked as an assistant pro and then qualified and played on the PGA Tour over numerous years between 1978 and 1992, and on the PGA Champions Tour in 2007. Perry's golf career brought the family to the North Texas/Dallas area in 1983, where - aside from playing on the PGA Tour - he was the Director of Golf at Plantation Golf Club and Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. Perry won numerous tournaments and, to date, currently holds the most North Texas PGA tournament wins at 18. Perry's accomplishments are mounted on the walls of the North Texas PGA headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Perry and a close group of golf friends purchased the historic Dallas Country Club. The club had deteriorated over the years. Perry and his partners, restored the Dallas Country Club back to an efficient operation. Perry and his partners sold the Dallas Country Club in 2020. Perry donated a portion of his profits to the North Texas PGA, the very organization enabling him of his golf career achievements.

Perry was loyal to his friends, devoted to the game of golf, humble on the course, enjoyed a good joke and laugh. Perry never turned down a chance to compete and have fun, whether it was on the golf course, in the club house, or over a card game. Colleagues, friends, and associates have remarked that Perry was “always friendly and kind”, “a great competitor”, is on the “Northern Texas Mount Rushmore”, “great guy”, “great player”, “a real gentleman”, that he “taught me a bunch”, and that “PA was the best!!”

Perry also loved a good bowl of Blue Bell ice cream and looked forward to his nightly bowl, or after a long day of golf. His daughters will laugh and remark on the multiple times Perry gave them a $20 bill to go buy a half-gallon of Blue Bell and “pocket the rest” of the money for themselves.

Perry also loved his family. He loved his grandchildren very much and enjoyed watching them grow and excel at sports: Mason in football, Emma in dance, and Miller in baseball. Each grandchild has very fond memories of their "Pappy," including the multiple bowls of Blue Bell that were always available at Pappy’s. Pappy also enjoyed being the official cookie tester for the cookies that Gigi and the grandchildren would make. It was a blessing that Baby Jack was born in 2025 and gave joy and hugs to Perry during his illness.

Perry was also very fond of both of his brothers’ children, Harry and Stacey of Houston, Texas, and Blake and Ashley of Midland, Texas. Sadly, Perry’s nephew, Harry, predeceased Perry a few months ago.

Perry's health began to slowly decline in the 2020 timeframe, when he was first diagnosed with birdshot vision and later Lewy Body. Both diseases tremendously affected his vision, memory, and physical health. As a result, Karen’s role slowly transitioned to caregiver, a role that she took on tirelessly and with loving dedication. Perry’s disease progressed to where he was moved to a memory care center a few months prior to his passing on August 12, 2026.

Perry is survived by his wife, Karen Sue Arthur of Dallas, Texas; Daughter Allison Ann Morris and husband Alan Morris of Flower Mound, Texas, their children Mason and Miller Morris; Daughter Paige Ashley Hagood and husband Jared Hagood of Plano, Texas, and their children Emma Ashley Arrington and Jack Arthur Hagood; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 for a memorial service and celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the North Texas PGA Perry Arthur Scholarship Fund.

We will miss you, PA. Have a bowl of Blue Bell for us and Gig’em.