Mr. Jasper Thomas Perry was born June 17, 1929 in Wayne County, Tennessee, the son of the late Harvey and Rosie Thompson Perry. He was united in marriage to Katie Brown on March 8, 1954. Mr. Perry proudly served his country in the United States Army. Private First Class Jasper T. Perry served in the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion in the Air Corps of the Army in WW2. He was a military qualified Rifle and Pistol Sharpshooter. After being discharged in 1947 he returned to the Army in 1950. He served in Korea with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. After serving over 20 years he retired from the service March 1, 1970. At the time of his retirement his decorations included WW2 Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Metal, Good Conduct Medal (2 Awards), National Defense Service Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster and Army Commendation Medal. After his retirement he then worked for the Wayne County School System for 15 years as a custodian. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Perry departed this life on January 1, 2021 in Columbia, Tennessee at the age of 91 Years, 6 Months and 15 Days.
He is survived by his wife of almost 67 years Katie Brown Perry of Waynesboro, TN; four daughters, Neva Andrews and husband Johnny of Waynesboro, TN, Eva Cooper of Waynesboro, TN, Deborah Wilson of Lewisburg, TN, Brenda Staggs and husband Mike of Lawrence County, TN; nine grandchildren, Sheryl Skelton and husband Mitchell, John Andrews and wife Daisha, Kevin Andrews, Kathy Carroll, Stacey Battles, Bobby Cooper, Chris Cooper, Michael Staggs and wife Lisa, Kayla Robinson and husband Matthew of Lawrence County, TN. He is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Perry was preceded in death by a brother, Delbert Perry; a sister, Jean McDow; and a grandchild, Becky Cooper.
A graveside service was held on Sunday January 3, 2021 at the Gallaher Cemetery in Waynesboro, Tennessee with Mitchell L. Skelton officiating. Shackelford Funeral Directors assisting.
