Harold K. Perry

Mr. Harold K. Perry, age 86, of Cumming, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 8, 2022. 

Born on August 29, 1935, Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer (Gertrude) Perry, brothers Mr. and Mrs. Jesse (Doyce) Perry, Mr. and Mrs. James (Betty) Perry and brother-in-law, Mr. Gardie Lee Thomas.

Surviving family members are children, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey (Gloria) Perry, Mrs. Jennifer Perry Watson and husband, Henry Watson, grandchildren, Heather Jordan, Sophia d’Oliveira and David Perry Waldrip, great grandchild, Ashlyn Jordan, sisters,Dorothy “Dot” Thomas, Betty (Lloyd) O’Bryant, brother, Donald (Carolyn) Perry, several special nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved deeply.

Notably, Mr. Perry was also survived by his dearest and most loyal friend, Mr. Thomas Beaty and his wife Mrs. Christinea Haywood and family. Their friendship spanned several decades, and there were no better friends to be found in this life.

Harold graduated as an honor student of Cumming High School in 1953, and his former teacher, Mrs. Claudine Otwell, reported that Harold had a remarkably and exceptionally high IQ. Mr. Perry was indeed a brilliant man and passed his intelligence on to his two children, Jeffrey Perry and Jennifer Perry Watson.

Additionally, Harold was an outstanding athlete and competed at Cumming High School under the iconic and beloved coach, Almon Hill, who served as both the baseball coach and the men’s basketball coach. Coach Hill coached Harold in baseball as a starting pitcher and in basketball where Harold electrified the fans with his spin-around jump shot. Basketball was the game of the times, and Harold was passionate about the sport, another gift he passed onto his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Perry’s employment in the workplace began at an early age for Parsons and Company in Cumming, Georgia. After he graduated from high school, he continued for a brief season as a very favored, dependable and skilled employee. He remained with Parsons until he was drafted into the U.S. Army and shipped to the 38th Parallel in Korea for a two-year deployment. He advanced in rank and remained in Korea until his deployment ended. God answered his and his family’s prayers when Haroldreturned safely home.

Upon returning to Georgia and establishing a home in Atlanta, Mr. Perry was employed by Southern States Chemical Company for several years. When the chemical company was sold, Harold successfully pursued a career in the medical field where he continued in his profession until the onset of his illness.

Some of Harold’s hobbies included reading, gardening, traveling, hiking, canoeing and playing checkers and reading comics with his grandson, David. He loved to go fishing with his son, Jeffrey,and spend time outdoors. He also had a great appreciation of music ranging from Mozart to Kris Kristofferson, and in his younger years, he was especially fond of the great pianist, Roger Williams. 

Mr. Perry was a gentleman and a simple man and was loved by all who knew him. His greatest joy in life came from watching his granddaughter, Sophia “PJ,” play basketball, both in middle school/high school and in college. His lifelong dream came true when he saw her play at Kennesaw State University in January of 2021.

The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home Monday, June 13 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will celebrate Mr. Perry’s life with a private funeral service officiated by Reverend Casey Martin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, Georgia where Mr. Perry and his granddaughter, Sophia, donated toys at Christmas.

Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital

give.choa.org/donate

In memory of Mr. Harold K. Perry