The late Jess Everett Perry of Marshalltown would have been pleased knowing the recent heat wave was good for Ev’s Ice Cream, the business he founded 25 years ago.

The popular, family run business attached to the modest house on South Center Street always draws a crowd when temperatures and humidity rise.

“Hot weather does increase our business,” said cashier Kathryn Perry of Marshalltown after one heat wave. “And it really gets busy after the sun goes down.”

Ev Perry had sold the business to son Howard Perry many years ago. Howard has followed Ev’s business model.

“Ev’s is the best,” said customer Katie Yakel of Collins.

Collins said she kept cool one hot summer by buying chocolate malts or shakes at Ev’s.

Shortly after noon one hot day a line had formed outside of the iconic ice cream parlor as customers wanted to keep cool while satisfying their sweet tooth. “My favorite place for ice cream in Marshalltown, period,” wrote Jeff Campbell in a Facebook post.

Numerous other testimonials back up Campbell.

Sadly, Jess Everett Perry, 88, passed away last week in Marshalltown.

Relative Natalie Boles of Tama said Perry left a legacy not only for his customers, but family.

Boles of Tama is married to Jason Boles, Perry’s grandson.

“He was always looking for an invention,” she said. “He was always looking for something successful, something that would create a legacy for him and his family.”

Truly, Ev’s Ice Cream was one. But there were other ventures.

Natalie Boles said Ev was an inspiration for the family – he was always busy – from selling Chinchillas to remodeling houses to marketing Christmas trees and wreath. He was in a partnership selling Morton buildings and also one renting storage units.

Ev owned and operated a miniature golf course – first located on Madison Street before moving to Highway 30.

But Ev’s Ice Cream is his legacy.

It was originally on Highway 30 for two years before moving to the 2200 block of South Center Street.

Not even a fire caused by a lightning strike three years ago could slow down the business.

Howard Perry who lived above Ev’s, was home in bed at the time of the fire. He told the Times-Republican he remembered hearing a loud noise, and then a few minutes later, someone was outside his bedroom window yelling for him to get out of the building.

“At quarter to six we heard a big boom,” Howard Perry said. “I didn’t think nothing of it, then we heard this guy outside our window yelling, ‘get out of the house; your house is on fire.'”

Much of the building suffered extreme water, smoke and fire damage.

“We could be closed for two weeks or two months,” he said. “Everything can be replaced, that’s the main thing.”

It was, and Ev’s re-opened.

Jess Everett Perry was born on Aug. 19, 1927, in Barnard, Missouri; he was the son of Jess and Vera (Henderson) Perry. He attended and graduated from the Maryville Community School District. On Feb. 17, 1951, Everett was united in marriage to Dorothy Bohrer in Shenandoah.

In 1955, Everett and Dorothy moved to Marshalltown.

Everett worked briefly at Marshalltown Trowel (now Marshalltown Co.) before moving to Emerson Process Management/Fisher Controls, where he worked 13 years.

He had been a member of the Kiwanis, Moose, and First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing horse shoes, golf, and traveling, but time with family was a highlight and important. He and Dorothy enjoyed spending winters in Mesa, Arizona.

Left to cherish Everett’s memory is his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; children, Duane (Lorretta) Perry of National City, California, Joyce (Curt) Jung of Marshalltown, Iowa and Howard (Donna) Perry of Marshalltown, Iowa and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.

“He was a hard worker, a really hard worker,” said grandson Jason Boles. “He had a push mower that he used to mow his yard for many, many years. But several years ago we got him a rider mower. He was always working and always doing something.”

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown.