Johnny "John" Michael Perry

Johnny (John) Michael Perry passed away suddenly at home at age 68 following a brief illness on Sunday, January 26, 2020. John has lived in Montcalm, WV since he was a teenager and most recently resides there with his son Justin Perry and wife Samantha. Everyone who knew John described him as a “Gentle Giant”. He was a very large man known for tremendous feats of strength, but he would much rather making you laugh than intimidating you with his muscles. He was a very colorful story teller, mixing just enough truth with fiction for it not to be a lie, just a good-natured exaggeration to add flavor. Anyone who would listen to him were left amazed and thoroughly entertained at the end of his homespun yarn. As a student at Montcalm High School, he forged his way into local folklore as one of the best athletes to wear a pair of basketball shoes. He always caught a great deal of “air” and stunned the crowd with jump shots that seemed to make time stand still. After high school, John worked very hard in construction and supporting his small family. John always bragged that his son, Justin, was his greatest accomplishment and they loved each other fiercely. John was a very protective big brother to his younger sisters, Diane, Debbie, Denise and Dana and his baby brother, Joe. He was also a very loyal son who lived less than a mile from his parents, Cecil and Shirley Perry. He would be found at his parents’ home frequently helping with household maintenance and just to play cards. John is survived by his wife and son, Carol and Justin; mother Shirley Perry; sisters Diane Diegel, Debbie Cecil, Denise Kitts and Dana Perry and their spouses Tim, Blaine, Dale and Annetta; little brother Joe Perry and wife Samantha. He is preceded in death by his father, Cecil Perry, and grandparents Herman and Frankie Perry and Jeffery and Olla Johnson, all of Tazewell, VA. We will miss John’s bear hugs, deep laugh and funny stories. His story is written on all of our hearts in indelible ink. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers and cards, that donations be made to the Johnny Perry Memorial Fund at tmcfunding.com to help pay for cremation and family funeral expenses.