Dr. E.E. Perry, 81, of Elizabethton, Tenn., died after a brief illness at his residence on Saturday, February 28, 2015.
He was a native of Elizabethton, Tenn., and son of the late Paul Perry and June Williams Perry. He is survived by a son, D’Artagnan H. Perry of Knoxville and his adopted family, Garis Fuentes and wife Claudina Santiago Hernandez, and their son, Edward Fuentes.
Dr. Perry was a graduate of Lees-McRae College and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He was licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee, North Carolina and Mississippi. Dr. Perry was a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and Southern Medical Association and was the recipient of the Golden Graduate Award from the faculty of the UT College of Medicine.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War, receiving the Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Medal for Heroism and Good Conduct Medal. Thereafter, he rose to the rank of Lt. Col. HHT, Company C, Support Squadron, 278th ACR and received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Dr. Perry was a flight instructor and medical examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration and held a commercial pilot’s license. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Dashiell Lodge No. 238, receiving a 50-year certificate for life membership, the Valley Forge Christian Church and the City Market Breakfast Club. In addition to his family, he loved sports cars, airplanes, a good book and the people of Carter County, Tenn. Ed was a man of remarkable intellect, having vast knowledge of literature, history, religion, philosophy and poetry.
To assist qualified students graduating from high school in Carter County, Tenn., he has established a very generous bequest to the East Tennessee Foundation for the Establishment of the E.E. Perry Scholarship Fund.
A military graveside and committal service will be held at Mountain Home National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 10, at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Perry’s friends and acquaintances are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the E.E. Perry Scholarship Fund of the East Tennessee Foundation and sent to Security Federal Bank, 632 East Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643.