His Story

To some, 20 years can seem an eternity; to others, it can seem but a passing moment. To Brandon’s parents and family, 20 years was but only a passing moment, as Brandon was murdered on August 13, 2006 in a senseless act of hate and violence when he was two weeks into his 20th year. The past few months since his murder have seemed an eternity for Brandon’s family; the beginning of a lifetime of sorrow.

Brandon’s infectious smile and hearty laughter ring out in silence now, but are remembered with resounding clarity by his family and close friends. He was a Boy Scout, earning several badges and honors for his good deeds, especially for his prowess at camping and the outdoors. Brandon was also in the JROTC in high school and had learned to handle a gun with great ease. He shot his first --- and ultimately his only --- buck when he was 16. He ate nearly the whole buck by himself, making several meals separate from his family --- but sharing some of the bigger cuts of meat so everyone could at least have a taste. Brandon claimed that because it was his first buck, he had to eat it himself. He claimed he would share all the other bucks he got. Brandon never got the chance.

Brandon Perryman, forever known as Bubba by his family, or simply as “B” by his friends, was not a perfect child, but he was good at heart. Bubba was afflicted by mental illness, which sometimes led to his thoughtless behavior.

“I know I had my arguments with him, but he was a good kid generally. Sometimes it would take a while for him to come around; to understand that his behavior was not the best. Once he realized he was behaving badly, he would apologize sincerely; make amends. I miss him so much,” says his father, Woody Perryman, the tears welled up in his eyes.

This is the first holiday season Bubba’s family will endure without him. The pain of the reality sometimes too raw to verbalize. Brandon believed in this season honoring Christ’s birth and life. Bubba had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and sincerely loved this time of year (although the 4th of July was his favorite holiday). When Bubba would make mistakes, as we all do, he would make it right with God first, and then make amends with the ones he thought he had offended. Bubba was like that; he cared.

As far as anyone can tell about what happened on that fateful August evening, Bubba and a good friend went to make amends for a DVD player he sold someone. Apparently, Bubba and his friend were ambushed, beaten, and then shot. A group had gathered around Brandon’s truck, apparently still angry over the DVD player. Bubba had already made amends by giving replacement items for the broken DVD player. After members of the group began beating Bubba’s friend, Bubba came to his friend’s aid. Bubba’s friend tried to protect himself by using a Taser. This only angered the one person the friend could shock, even though the shock was not complete, hindered by a malfunction of the Taser. Apparently, that person grabbed a gun and started shooting at Brandon’s friend; Brandon took the fatal bullets that were meant for his friend. Bubba had made the ultimate sacrifice --- giving up his life to save his friend --- a sacrifice few of us would dare make. But Bubba was like that; he cared.

Bubba’s family can take comfort in knowing that Bubba made God proud that evening. In remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for all mankind --- and in remembering Bubba’s selfless act to aid his friend --- a fund has been set up to purchase Bibles for anyone else who wants to read and know about Jesus’ love. Anyone can donate money in Brandon’s name for the Bibles. The donations can be made at any Chase Bank under the Hands With Prayer Motorcycle Ministry name. Donations can also be made directly at Hands With Prayer Motorcycle Ministry, 6234 SE 15th, Midwest City, OK 73110. For more information, please call Pastor Ken “Pickle” Grissom at (405) 641-1313.