Born in 1934 to a family of plumbers in Chapel Hill, Texas, Jake Perry has led a life rich with stories, service, and — above all — love. In 1952, he purchased his cozy home on Mary Street, where he raised his three children and watched them grow up among the live oak trees, welcoming porches, and dirt roads of the Bouldin Creek neighborhood.

Now 91, Mr. Perry looks back with awe at the changes time has brought. “I’ve seen so much change,” he reflects with a gentle shake of his head. “Lamar was a dirt road, and so was South 1st Street. The post office was right there (pointing at Twin Oaks Library)” Even with all the transformation, he never considered leaving.

What kept him planted here so firmly was the sense of community. As a plumber working in countless homes, Mr. Perry built connections that went far beyond pipes and fittings. When neighbors couldn’t pay him with money, they’d offer him a warm meal instead, and that was more than enough. “Bouldin Creek has a special place in my heart, because the neighbors all look after one another and help one another,” he shared.

However, what truly makes Mr. Perry legendary is his extraordinary love for animals, especially cats. Over the decades, he has cared for more than 900 cats, each spayed or neutered, healthy, and deeply loved. At one point, he shared his home with 48 cats, all part of the family.

One of those cats, Creme Puff, lived to a record-breaking 38 years, earning worldwide fame. Another cat, Grandpa, so impressed former President Bill Clinton that he sent a card and $100. Mr. Perry grins recalling how former President Bush sent a card too — but no money. Prince Charles even mailed a card, as did Cat Woman herself. Photos of these world-famous felines adorn Mr. Perry’s home like badges of honor and rightfully so. 

Some of his cats became so celebrated they appeared on television shows, generating royalties Mr. Perry still donates to animal shelters. Giving back has always come naturally to him.

Today, Mr. Perry remains in his cherished home, looked after by a Meals on Wheels and the new generation of neighbors, Taylor, Freddie, Jake, Greg, and Jim. Sharp as ever, he still greets visitors from his front porch. Recently, when he collapsed at home, it was a neighbor who called EMS, saving his life. “I had died for four minutes,” he shakes his head in awe, “and they brought me back.”

Before I left, I asked Mr. Perry if he had any message for the neighborhood. His words were simple, yet powerful:

1.Love your elders.

2. Your neighbors will become your family. Get to know them. Help them, and you will find so much love and support to carry you through a lifetime.

As Mr. Perry sits on his porch, surrounded by decades of memories, the warmth of community, and perhaps a cat or two curled up nearby, he stands as a living testament to what it truly means to belong in Bouldin Creek.