For his homecoming, sister Babette Perry said he wanted to visit some of his favorite places in his hometown of Saratoga—his alma mater, Saratoga High School, his old house and his favorite places to eat. So, friends and family took him to visit the football field and basketball gym, proudly showing them off to young nephews Lee and Shea.

"He was especially proud to show them his trophy that meant so very much to him," remembers Babette, referring to the Most Inspirational Player award Perry received on the 1980 varsity football team. Babette recalled how much Perry's family meant to him, and how letters and pictures from Lee and Shea and his niece, Natasha, had inspired him to keep on going throughout his stem-cell transplant and his long battle with the cancer.

Later that day, said Babette, Perry ate burgers at the local Burger Pit and his favorite hot dogs at the Happy Hound.

Unfortunately, Perry was readmitted into the hospital in mid-June when his cancer returned. Friends and family said a tearful goodbye when Perry ultimately lost his battle with the cancer and died on July 15.

"Kevin was a man of great courage who never gave up the fight," said Babette. His brother, Jeff Perry, brought his trophy to him in the hospital, and in his final moments, the group sat and listened to the song "Sounds of Silence."

Perry is survived by his mother, Joya, of Port Hueneme, Calif.; sisters Babette of Los Angeles and Nicole of Isle of Mann near London; brother Jeff of Los Angeles; nephews Lee and Shea; and niece Natasha.

Donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund and sent to International Creative Management. Inc., c/o Babette Perry, 8942 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. For more information, visit www.multiplemyeloma.org.