Arthur E. Perry

Arthur E Perry, of Crossville, Tennessee passed away peacefully at his home, February 6, 2023, at the age of 101. For the last few years, he resided at Fairfield Glade’s Good Samaritan Society, with his son Steve as his primary care-giver. His wife of 65 years, Geraldine “Poody” (McDonald) Perry of Dunreith, Indiana passed away in 2019.

He was born June 11, 1921 and raised in Detroit, Michigan, one of five children of Robert and Elizabeth (Bartsch) Perry. He graduated from Thomas M Cooley High School in 1939 and for two & a-half years worked as a pattern maker at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI.

He enlisted in the US Navy in August 1942 as a seaman apprentice, becoming an Aviation Machinist Mate (AMM); initially stationed in Newfoundland and then near Taunton in SW England during 1943-44. Upon his return stateside, he was stationed in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1945. He was Honorably Discharged as an AMM1c from his WWII naval service after 3 years and 4 months on active duty.

In the summer 1946 he re-enlisted with the US Navy for another 3 years and was stationed in Michigan and later Key West, Florida in 1948-49. He transferred to the newly-formed US Air Force in 1950 as a Technical Sergeant, continuing his work as an aircraft mechanic, and volunteered to serve overseas during the Korean War from 1952-53. He married Geraldine McDonald upon his return stateside, who he had met the previous year. They went on to have three children, raising them in Huber Heights, Ohio, where they lived for nearly 30 years.

He completed his twenty plus years of military service at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Fairborn, OH; retiring in the Summer of 1964 as a Master Sergeant (E7). Following his military career, he became a computer programmer and retired in 1987. Seeking warmer weather, he and his wife relocated to Palm Bay, FL in 1989; later moving to Fairfield Glade, TN in 2005.

He was a kind and gentle soul; a loving husband and wonderful father, who never failed to provide for his family. He loved driving and owned nearly forty cars during his lifetime; traveling with his family throughout all fifty U.S. states and Canada, visiting numerous National Parks and other historic sites. He enjoyed camping and hiking with family and friends. After retirement, they also took several cruises and overseas trips to Europe and Australia. His hobbies included listening to classical music and reading all types of books extensively during his retirement. His hobbies included bowling and he was an avid golfer, achieving 3-hole-in-ones!

Though he resided in many places throughout his life, he spoke of his childhood in Detroit and remained close with his family in Michigan. He is survived by his three children, Nancy (Edward Nelson) of Sherman Oaks, California, Steve of Miami, FL and Doug of Livermore, CA; one sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Kirklin, IN, as well as many nieces and nephews throughout the country.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service’s Knightstown Chapel. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown with military honors conducted by contingents from the US Navy, the US Air Force and the American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knightstown Veterans Memorial Garden and the David Newkirk Scholarship Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Arthur at www.hinsey-brown.com .