Leon Edward Perry

Mr. Leon Edward Perry, age 80, of Tennille, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at his home following an extended illness.

Mr. Perry was born on January 2, 1942, in Panama City, Florida, the son of the late Sam A. Perry and the late Vera M. Perry. He graduated from Chattahoochee High School, where he enjoyed high school sports and played football. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Leon served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and was later stationed in Savannah at Hunter Army Airfield as a Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot. A graduate of Armstrong State College, he moved with his family from Savannah to Sandersville in 1979. He held the position of public health sanitarian for the Washington County Health Department for 20 years.

During his years of service as a Boy Scout leader, Leon was able to share his love of the outdoors with his troop while teaching valuable life skills. Some of his most enduring friendships were formed during his time as a scout leader.

Leon served on the Washington County Historical Society Board of Directors as the County Cemetery Chair, spearheading the monumental task of locating, recording, and marking graves in our local cemeteries over many years.

As a young man, Mr. Perry developed a remarkable passion and knowledge of the archeology of Georgia and continued this study throughout his retirement in earnest. He amassed an enormous collection of artifacts from the region, donating countless examples for research to institutions throughout Georgia. "The Central Georgia Surface Survey" documents Mr. Perry's work over nearly half a century. During the decades of his collecting experience, he ultimately investigated 171 sites across 18 counties in south-central Georgia.

As an active member of the Peach State Archeological Society and The Society for Georgia Archeology, he developed close friendships with others in the field that continued throughout his lifetime. His dedication to the research of Paleoindian culture was highlighted by his time volunteering on the excavation team of the Topper Site Archaeological Project in Allendale County, South Carolina, headed by the University of Tennessee Knoxville's Department of Anthropology.

When Leon wasn't searching for artifacts, his favorite pastimes included working in his yard, drinking coffee on his porch, reading, and adding to his ever-expanding collection of books.

Leon was preceded in death by Sam Perry Sr. (father), Vera Perry (mother), Jane Perry (sister), and Sam Perry Jr. (brother).

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Perry; his three children, David Perry (Kingston, NY), Robin Perry (St. Petersburg, FL), and Angie Chatham and her husband Ken (Marietta, GA); three grandchildren, Bennett Perry, Lyra Murphy, and Jonah Perry; his sister, Ann Johnson (Tallahassee, FL), and three brothers, Byron Perry (Durham, NC), Don Perry (Chattahoochee, FL), and Robert Perry (Tallahassee, FL).

A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at Limestone Community Church, 527 Mary Dr., Sandersville, GA 31082, on Saturday, October 29, at 2:00 PM. In honor of Mr. Perry's signature attire, guests are invited to dress casually and wear their favorite blue jeans.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the building fund of Limestone Community Church c/o Pastor Ron Jackson, 610 Alfred Carson Drive, Sandersville, GA 31082.

May & Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com