Dr. Perry Earl Gragg (age 87) died Wednesday, March 1, 2017. A retired professor of English, he had been a resident of San Angelo since 1968.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; three children, Susan Gragg of Durham, NC, Alan and his wife Diana of Santa Fe, NM, Michael and his wife Suzie, and their daughter, Casey of Sugar Land, Texas.
Perry was born June 22, 1929, in San Antonio, Texas, the first of four sons of Perry E. Gragg Jr. and Lucile Pearce Gragg. Two of his brothers, Jess and Richard, both of San Antonio also survive him. His brother Robert precedes him in death. He grew up mainly in San Antonio.
He graduated from Harlandale High School in 1945 and received his B.A. degree from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1950. He received his Master’s degree in 1955 and a PhD in 1960 from the University of Texas in Austin.
He served in the Army from 1950 until 1952. He was a 1st Lieutenant and platoon leader in the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War and was awarded a Silver Star for valor in combat during an attack on Pork Chop Hill in May of 1952.
He married Marilyn Langston of San Antonio in 1956 and they became the parents of three children. They lived in San Antonio where he was a professor of English, serving as head of the English Department at San Antonio Jr. College, from 1964 until 1968.
In 1968 he joined the faculty of San Angelo College, which later became Angelo State University, and taught there until his retirement in 1994. He was head of the English Department there from 1971 until his retirement.
He and Marilyn enjoyed traveling and over the years made some forty international trips to learn about the history and cultures of other societies. They visited every country in Europe, as well as Asian and African countries.
He was active in professional organizations during his teaching years, particularly the Conferences of College Teachers of English and the South-Central Modern Language Association.
A life-long Presbyterian, he grew up in the Harlandale Church, and after his marriage at the Northwood Church in San Antonio, and in San Angelo with St. Mark and lastly with Grace Presbyterian.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 6, at Grace Presbyterian Chapel at First Christian Church, 29 N. Oak Street, San Angelo, TX 76903. Visitation for friends and relatives will be held Tuesday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service in Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemetery Dominion, 20900 IH 10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257.
Memorials may be sent to: Lucile Pearce Gragg Memorial Scholarship Office of Development ASU Station #11023 San Angelo, TX 76909 Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly 2229 FM 1340 Hunt, TX 78024 San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts 1 Love Street San Angelo, TX 76903
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