Longtime LQHBA Executive Director Leverne Perry Passes Away, Services Set Tuesday

Longtime LQHBA Laverne Perry passed away today in an Alexandria, Louisiana hospital.

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Services have been set for 2 pm Tuesday (Mar 29) at the G.A. Mangun Center at the Pentecostals of Alexandria located at 2817 Rapides Avenue in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5-9 pm at Hixon Brothers in Alexandria and also from 10 am until time of the service on Tuesday at the G.A. Mangun Center.

Leverne was born in Sieper, Louisiana on January 4, 1932. He contributed much to this community throughout his lifetime. As an accomplished cowboy he traveled the south and even competed in a Madison Square Gardens in New York. Many remember Leverne as host of the children’s show “Leverne Perry and the Little Wranglers” which ran from 1960-1966.

He had a heart for children, especially those with special needs, He organized the “Horses and Handicaps Program “ volunteering many hours to help give joy to others through his love of horses. He also was involved in fund raising for St. Mary’s.

Leverne was the owner of Leverne Perry Shoes. He also served, as President of the Police Jury in the 1970' s. He was President of Amicus Club Rodeo Association.

Perry served as the Executive Director of LQHBA for 26 years retiring in 2013.

He played a key role in successful legislative efforts that resulted in slot machines at Louisiana racetracks. Following that, Louisiana's Quarter Horse racing industry flourished into the richest state-bred program in the nation with significant gains in purse money and breeder incentives awards for accredited state-breds.

During his tenure, he helped develop the Youth Scholarship program, the first Mardi Gras Futurity and the first $1,000,000-guaranteed Breeders Futurity for Louisiana-bred foals.

His tireless efforts to promote and expand Louisiana racing and breeding helped develop the annual yearling sale into one of the largest state-bred Quarter Horse sales in the country.

Perry has been honored with many distinguished service awards and will be inducted into the inaugural class of the new LQHBA Hall-of-Fame next month. He is also a member of the Louisiana Rodeo Hall of Fame.

In recognition of his 25 years of service as the executive director of the LQHBA, the American Quarter Horse Association honored him with the 2011 Gordon Crone Special Achievement award. In 2014 he received the LQHBA Lifetime Achievement award.

Perry served on the AQHA Racing Committee and the AQHA Champions committee and served as Executive Director Emeritus of LQHBA.

He was preceded by his parents Jesse and Goretha Perry. He is survived by five daughters, Sonny and Karen Rush, Julie and Dana Normand, Javier and Jill Gutierrez, Larry and Leigh Lepinski, Heath and Amy Grimes, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Youth Scholarship Fund. 318-487-9506.

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