Perry Kallison
Values Codes I – H – E – P
Perry Kallison Radio Adv
Perry Kallison was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1903.
He worked with his brother, Morris, in managing Kallison’s Farm and Ranch Store (also called Kallison’s Big Country Store), which sold everything from furniture to hardware to “feed and seed” to appliances.
Perry Kallison also worked at the family’s ranch, riding horses, experimenting with crops, and raising cattle.
Among other breeds, he raised a large herd of award-winning American Polled Hereford cattle.
When the State of Israel was founded, Perry helped to develop its agricultural systems.
He arranged for Israelis to visit San Antonio so that they could learn from the Texas ranchers.
He also sent a herd of 76 angora goats to Yodfat Kibbutz, which were shared with other kibbutzim.
In 1936, Perry Kallison started a radio program that provided farm and ranch news, philosophical editorials (“sermonettes”), and other stories.
His programs were broadcast until 1981.
Civic
Perry Kallison founded the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.
He and his wife, Frances, hosted the show at their ranch.
BBQ at the Kallison Ranch
Community
While in college, Perry joined the Temple League Players, a theatrical group in San Antonio.
He served as President of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio in 1948, and remained active on various synagogue committees for his entire life.
He was President of the San Antonio Jewish Federation in the 1970s.
Family
Perry married Frances Rosenthal in 1931.
They had three children: Maryann, Perry M. “Pete,” and Frances Ray “Bobbi.”
Perry Kalisher’s Family at BBQ, 1940’s
Perry Kallison died, in 1999 in San Antonio.
Frances Kallison died, in 2004, in San Antonio.
They are buried at the Temple Beth El Cemetery in San Antonio.
Legacy
The genealogy section of the San Antonio Public Library archives the Kallison’s family records, correspondences, etc.
This collection takes up approximately 15 cubic feet.
Temple Beth-El Cemetery, San Antonio
Sources
- Hollace Ava Weiner, “Frances Rosenthal Kallison 1908-2004: Texas Cowgirl with a Jewish Conscience,” Western States Jewish History 48/1.
- Nick Kotz, The Harness Maker’s Dream: Nathan Kallison and the Rise of South Texas (Fort Worth, TX: Texas Christian University Press, 2013).
Samantha Silver is Curator for this Perry Kallison exhibit.