Obituary for John Frank Perry Jr.
John Perry, age 81, of Rutherfordton, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 1, 2023. John was a well-educated but humble man who spent his life teaching others about God’s Love. When he wasn’t helping others, you could always find him outside. He was a lover of nature and greatly enjoyed admiring God’s beautiful creations. He was an avid hiker, photographer, reader, and landscaper.
John was born on April 21, 1942, in Kannapolis, NC. He went to Winecoff High School in Concord, NC, where he met Barbara at the age of 16, where he instantly fell in love. They continued dating throughout high school and both graduated in 1960. After graduation, Barbara went to nursing school and John went to North State Business College in Kannapolis, NC. He graduated in 1962 with a business degree.
John started working at Central Motor Lines as the office manager in May of 1962. On August 11th of the same year, he and Barbara were married. Shortly after, they found out they were expecting their first child.
Melissa was born in July 1963.
Beverly was born in November 1964.
Debbie was born in January 1966.
Tammy was born in July 1968.
John continued working as an office manager at Central Motor Lines but began to feel the calling to go into ministry. Living on caffeine, Coca-Cola, love, and lots of faith, he took the plunge to go back to school. In 1966, after his third child’s birth, he started school at Wingate College to begin his journey to become a minister. John graduated from Wingate College in May of 1968 with a divinity degree, ordained as a minister.
He began his career in ministry as a supply pastor and in 1967, where he served at Kendall Baptist Church in New London, NC, as their interim pastor. While at Kendall Baptist Church, a pulpit committee from Independence Hill Baptist Church came and fell in love with John. Although he had not yet completed his education, they took a chance and hired him as their Pastor. In 1968, he began as full-time Pastor of this church. He also served as chaplain at the Juvenile Diagnostic Center in Charlotte, NC until 1975.
John was a lover of learning and continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He graduated in May of 1971 with a bachelor’s degree of Arts in religion, making this his second degree. He was the first religion major to graduate from UNCC. He then went on to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, graduating in 1974 with a master’s degree in Divinity.
In 1975, he felt a calling to move churches and he moved his family to Lilesville, NC where he became pastor of Lilesville Baptist Church. He pastored this church and made many lifelong friends. He remained pastor of this church until 1979.
In 1979, he moved to Ruth, NC where he became pastor of Southern Baptist Church. It was here that he felt his most calling, meeting the needs of many and changing people's lives. He remained pastor at Southern until his retirement in 2016.
John passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Where the love of 2 people multiplied into a family of 29, including four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara, and two great-grandchildren.
His family will have a private memorial service. Per request of John, if you would like to honor him, you can make a private donation to Hospice of the Carolinas, Agape Division, or to Southern Baptist Church.
In a quote from John prior to his death. “I am a BLESSED man, and it has been FUN!”
John was born on April 21, 1942, in Kannapolis, NC. He went to Winecoff High School in Concord, NC, where he met Barbara at the age of 16, where he instantly fell in love. They continued dating throughout high school and both graduated in 1960. After graduation, Barbara went to nursing school and John went to North State Business College in Kannapolis, NC. He graduated in 1962 with a business degree.
John started working at Central Motor Lines as the office manager in May of 1962. On August 11th of the same year, he and Barbara were married. Shortly after, they found out they were expecting their first child.
Melissa was born in July 1963.
Beverly was born in November 1964.
Debbie was born in January 1966.
Tammy was born in July 1968.
John continued working as an office manager at Central Motor Lines but began to feel the calling to go into ministry. Living on caffeine, Coca-Cola, love, and lots of faith, he took the plunge to go back to school. In 1966, after his third child’s birth, he started school at Wingate College to begin his journey to become a minister. John graduated from Wingate College in May of 1968 with a divinity degree, ordained as a minister.
He began his career in ministry as a supply pastor and in 1967, where he served at Kendall Baptist Church in New London, NC, as their interim pastor. While at Kendall Baptist Church, a pulpit committee from Independence Hill Baptist Church came and fell in love with John. Although he had not yet completed his education, they took a chance and hired him as their Pastor. In 1968, he began as full-time Pastor of this church. He also served as chaplain at the Juvenile Diagnostic Center in Charlotte, NC until 1975.
John was a lover of learning and continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He graduated in May of 1971 with a bachelor’s degree of Arts in religion, making this his second degree. He was the first religion major to graduate from UNCC. He then went on to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, graduating in 1974 with a master’s degree in Divinity.
In 1975, he felt a calling to move churches and he moved his family to Lilesville, NC where he became pastor of Lilesville Baptist Church. He pastored this church and made many lifelong friends. He remained pastor of this church until 1979.
In 1979, he moved to Ruth, NC where he became pastor of Southern Baptist Church. It was here that he felt his most calling, meeting the needs of many and changing people's lives. He remained pastor at Southern until his retirement in 2016.
John passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Where the love of 2 people multiplied into a family of 29, including four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara, and two great-grandchildren.
His family will have a private memorial service. Per request of John, if you would like to honor him, you can make a private donation to Hospice of the Carolinas, Agape Division, or to Southern Baptist Church.
In a quote from John prior to his death. “I am a BLESSED man, and it has been FUN!”