James Edwin Perry

James Edwin Perry
1924-2020

James Edwin Perry, 95, of Tennessee Veterans Home in Clarksville, TN died at 9:00 pm Wednesday, February 19, 2020.  A native of Ashland City, TN, he was born May 18, 1924 the son of the late James Franklin Perry and Louise Girard Perry.

He was a Naval veteran, having served on the USS Chatelain, part of the 10th Atlantic Fleet, during WWII.  The Chatelain was a Destroyer escort and part of the group that captured the first intact German submarine, U-505, for which he received a Presidential Citation. As a teenager, James worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, established during the Great Depression.  He was owner and contractor of Perry Well Drilling, where he worked with his eldest son Marlin in the Cheatham County area for several years.  He was an avid deer hunter and deep-sea fisherman, having spent significant time in the Destin, FL fishing community.  He was a member of Bearwallow Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Doris Morris Perry, who died in 1999.  Survivors include sons, Marlin Perry (Elizabeth) of Ashland City, TN, Douglas Perry (Sharon) of Mt. Juliet, TN; daughter, Suzanne Perry Hale (Chris) of Joelton, TN; brother, Robert Perry of Joelton, TN; sisters, Betty Sue Cook and Lou Ann Raymer, both of Nashville, TN; 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 2:30 pm CT at Bearwallow Church of Christ, located in Ashland City, TN.  A Burial at Sea will be conducted in Destin, FL at a date to be determined.

Tennessee Cremation Care is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Perry's cremation services. Please visit his tribute page to leave an online condolence for the family.