Lewis Perry Jr. died in his sleep on August 7. He was 97 and a 50-year resident of Colorado Springs.

Mr. Perry was born in Williamstown in 1913. He attended Milton Academy and Phillips Exeter Academy. He received a B.A. from Harvard University and a master’s in English literature from Oxford University.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 as an Air Combat Intelligence Officer aboard the USS Santee. He participated in five combat operations, including the battle for Leyte Gulf.

He was a member of the English department and house master at the Lawrenceville School from 1938 to 1958. From 1958 to 1978, he was headmaster of the Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Colo.

On the Fountain Valley School campus stands the Lewis Perry Jr. Chapel, a testimony to the man who treated others well and changed a small part of the universe for the better.

He held fast to his many friends, both young and old, and brought a tremendous amount of love, style and spirit to everyone who knew him.

Mr. Perry was married to Florence Dalton in 1941; they had four children: Margaret Lawrie, Fleur, Lewis (deceased) and Jonathan. They divorced in 1964, and he married Mary Peltz Russell in 1965, who had three children: Kane, Kate (deceased) and Phoebe.

Lewis Perry was a gifted teacher and a beloved headmaster. He was the epitome of kindness and generosity, who loved literature, theatre and sports. He was quick to laugh and to make light of some of life’s most challenging moments. And he lightened the load for many, even as he took very seriously the adventure of life.

He was a member of the Episcopal Church his entire life, and he believed in kindness at all times to all people. And he lived by that most graciously.

He spent 50 summers on West Chop, where he learned to race dog boats and play tennis. Later, he tested himself on the fairways of Mink Meadows. Memorably, he grilled the tastiest, juiciest steaks imaginable on the sands of South Beach. The Vineyard for him was an earthly paradise of great joy and immense happiness.

When he lived on the East Coast, he never missed a “smash hit” Broadway opening. He often took the train into New York, which he called — and therefore his children always called — The Magic City. One of his great attributes was that he could make magic out of almost anything — and often did.

He coached soccer. He loved football. He was an avid skier until he was 84. But the place in his heart that meant the most was golf and he played happily until he was 90!

Shortly before he died, Mr. Perry said: “Eternal love is just beyond the stars. I’m looking forward to getting there.” He is survived by his children, Lawrie Wilson, Fleur Green and Jonathan Perry; his stepchildren, Kane White and Phoebe Ozuna; by 13 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and one great-grandson, Dalton Huckins.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 9 at the Fountain Valley School. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Fountain Valley School, 6155 Fountain Valley School Road, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80911.