Jack Sherwood Perry Jr.

Rocky Mount – Jack Sherwood Perry, Jr., age 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.  Born in Union County, NC on August 4, 1943, he was the son of the late Jack Sherwood Perry and Marguerite Little Perry. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Hugh McInnis Perry.

Jack is a native of Concord, NC and remained in touch with many of his fellow Spiders from Concord High School.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965 with a BS in Industrial Relations.  He had a fulfilling career as a human resource professional, including in the North Carolina furniture industry, as Director of Personnel Operations with the former parent company of Hardee’s, as Vice President of HR with Byrd’s Food Stores in Burlington, NC, and finally as Vice President of HR with Community Home Care & Hospice in Rocky Mount.  Jack was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount where he sang in the choir and served as an Elder, a Deacon, and a Stephen Minister. He also devoted significant time and energy as Chairman of the Board of the Covenant Homes Independent Living Community for seniors where an activities and fitness center was dedicated to him in 2022.  Jack was an avid tennis player and enjoyed a variety of other activities including woodworking, model trains, and model airplanes.  He was a 15-year survivor of prostate cancer and bravely battled Parkinson’s disease for many years.  Despite these challenges, Jack retained his caring and loving disposition as well as his affinity for a weekly cheeseburger.  A loving and devoted father, grandfather, and good friend to many, Jack will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Jack is survived by his son, John Duncan Perry of Rocky Mount, NC; his daughter, Laura Elizabeth Perry Cotto and husband, Antonio “Tony” Cotto, of Holly Springs, NC; his loving grandchildren, Caroline Luisa and Christopher Devan Cotto; and many extended family members and good friends.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC  27804, with Rev. John Winings officiating.  A time for visitation with the family will be held following the service in the church’s fellowship hall.

A Committal Service will be held at a later date at Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd, Concord, NC 28025.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jack’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – https://www.michaeljfox.org/.

The family also expresses its appreciation to all of Jack’s caretakers, and to Nash Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash County, NC for their caring and efforts during Jack’s final days.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.