Ronald Dale Perry, 77, of Millcreek Township, Millersburg, Ohio, died Saturday, April 11, 2015, working on the farm he loved. Ron was born August 23, 1937, at Tom’s Creek in Wayne County, West Virginia, in the log home in which his mother was born. He was the son of Andy Kern and Letha Lovell (Hale) Perry, and was the youngest brother of Gorman Kern Perry and Russell Samuel Perry.
He was a graduate of the Class of 1955 at South Point High School, Lawrence County, Ohio. After Ron’s graduation and 18th birthday, he made his way to Brook Park, where he gained employment at the Ford Motor Company Cleveland Engine Plant complex, eventually earning his journeyman’s card as a skilled tradesman in machine repair. Ron worked at the Foundry, Engine Plant #1, and Engine Plant #2 for 42 years at Ford, until his retirement in 1997. In 1958, Ron married Flossie “Flo” Carol Salmons, to whom he was married for 32 years. He had two sons with Flo, Zane Dale Perry and Corey Daniel Perry. In 1974, Ron, Flo and the boys moved from their farm in Lafayette Township of Medina County to their farm in Millcreek Township of Coshocton County. Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman and relished his times outdoors, including working on his beloved farm. He enjoyed playing the five-string banjo and making turkey calls of various types. Following his retirement from Ford, Ron spent countless hours tending to his farm, planting trees and caring for the property in an attempt to create a sportsman’s paradise.
Ron’s final moments on this earth were spent planting trees on the property; however, as much as he loved his farm and the outdoors, Ron loved his family most of all.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.
He is survived by two sons Zane Perry of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Zane’s children, Brook Elizabeth (Peter) Orvis, Kathryn Ellyn Perry, Zane Dale Perry, Jr., Zachary John Perry and Zoe Michelle Perry; son, Corey (Tania) Perry of Delaware, Ohio and their children, Coree Rae (Daniel) Harrison, Andrew Taylor Nesselroad, Nathan Dale Perry, Samuel Corbett Perry and Raegan Kathryn Perry. Also surviving are countless cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. While all of his family grieves his loss, they are comforted by the countless memories of spending time with him hunting, camping, fishing and listening to his countless stories of growing up in the coal-laced mountains of West Virginia. Ronald will be remembered as a loving father, doting grandfather and trusted friend.
Calling hours will be Monday, April 20, 2015, from 5 until 8 P.M., at Free Funeral Home, 788 S. Second St., in Coshocton. Funeral will be Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 1 P.M., at the funeral home, followed by interment at Shepler Cemetery in Millcreek Township, Coshocton.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution in Ron’s memory are asked to make their donations to the Ronald Dale Perry Memorial Fund of the Muskingum Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation at P.O. Box 173, Coshocton, OH 43812.
The online guestbook may be signed at www.coshoctontribune.com
The post Ronald Dale Perry appeared first on The Medina County Gazette.