Obituary of Gary Lee Perrell

Gary Lee Perrell, having successfully completed his 77-year mission, was honorably discharged and given back to his true Father.

Gary was born March 12, 1942 and died April 8, 2019 of natural causes. He was preceded in death by parents Barney Lee & Rachel Sink Perrell.

Gary was married on May 30, 1965 to, and survived by, his wife of 53 years, Jean Sink Perrell.

Gary is survived by his children Andy (Gaby) Perrell, Cindy (Dewey) Hylton, and Christy (Tommy) Wall; his grandchildren Aaron (Jennifer), Nathan & Levi Perrell, Allison & Matthew Hylton, Bradley (Leslie) & Brittany Wall; his sisters Judy (Alan, deceased) Long of Walnut Cove, Bonnie (Joe) Landreth of Winston Salem; and lifelong friend, Tommy Lambeth of Suffolk, VA.

Gary loved spending time with his family and took pleasure in sharing Sunday-night dinners, watching the younger generations play sports, and traveling with family.

Gary graduated from Griffith High School, where he was a member of the band; he also played in the Moravian Church band for the Easter Sunrise Service. Gary served four years in the US Air Force. He then worked for Southern Bell (later named Lucent Technologies), and retired as a manager after 25 years.

Gary passionately served others, both inside and outside his community. He was a volunteer fireman at Gumtree Fire Department, and slept with his turn-out gear (pants in boots) beside the bed so all he had to do was jump in them and go. First one there got to drive the fire truck! He wore titles for both Assistant Chief and Squad Captain; he was a charter member and was present to lay the first brick of the original building. He was also Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 222 at Oak Forest UMC. Gary coached boy’s baseball and girl’s softball for Wallburg, including an All-Star team that finished runner up in the state finals. He loved his church and was involved in the church choir for many years, was a lay leader, taught Sunday School, was youth counselor, played in the adult handbell choir, and was “sound man” for the New Heritage Singers.

Known as willing and capable handymen, Gary and good friends including Charlie Waddell, Wallace Lassiter, Bob Steelman and Bill Stanfield provided their services both near and far. No project was too small or too large; they built and fixed furniture and access ramps, and assisted with hurricane relief. Together, they made a positive difference in communities as far away as eastern North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Louisiana.

We believe that family, friends, and all the lives that he touched were made better in big and small ways, as we were blessed by Christ’s love as shown through Gary.

A celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary at Midway UMC followed by a reception to receive friends in the CFC. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Midway UMC youth mission trip or the church choir fund.

The family would like to specifically thank his caregivers at Lexington Health Care and The Life Center of Davidson County, who cared for him with compassion and dignity. You became a part of our lives when we needed you most!