Billionaire, politician and iconic Texan, H. Ross Perot, was laid to rest in a private ceremony Tuesday ahead of a public memorial service.
Perot died Tuesday, July 9, at the age of 89.
A memorial celebrating his life was held at Highland Park United Methodist Church and was attended by Gov. Greg Abbott and Representatives Roger Roger Williams, Kay Granger, and Dr. Michael Burgess.
Speakers included Perot's son, Ross Perot, Jr., longtime friend Ken Langone, the co-founder of Home Deport and Brigadier General Peter Dawkins.
Prior to Tuesday's service, Perot was laid to rest at Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery in a private service attended by family. The graveside services was preceeded by an F-16 missing man flyover conducted by the U.S. Air Force who wanted to honor Perot for his commitment to the military and veterans.
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History will likely remember Perot for his political career and business acumen. But those who knew him personally -- and those touched in some way by his philanthropy -- said his true legacy will be the contributions he made to the Dallas community.
"Ross Perot and his generosity have made a major impact," said Melissa Morton, a registered nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas.
The hospital has been a longtime benefactor of the Perot family. Their Center for Women and Infants is named in honor of his wife, Margot Perot.
Since 1983, they've delivered more than 120,000 healthy babies there -- a testament, Morton says, to the Perot family's contributions.
"Those funds helped us create the first building in the Dallas area that was designed especially to care for women and infants," said Morton. "Our NICU is the best in the city. And we're able to provide the best, most compassionate care to families."
As a tribute to him, the hospital gave each mother staying in the center a bouquet of roses Tuesday -- one yellow rose representing his wife, and five red roses representing his children -- as well as a note, expressing how his support impacts every family that comes through there.
The self-made billionaire founded Electronic Data Systems Corporation and Perot Systems Corporation. He was also well-known for two runs as an Independent presidential candidate and for championing health care for military veterans.
Read more on Perot's life, here and see more in the stories below.