John Perry

MANSFIELD -- John Perry went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 27, 2010.       Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at Blessing Funeral Home, Mansfield. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Blessing Funeral Home.  John Perry, was born the son of a coal miner in the hills of Stearns, Kentucky at home on December 24, 1937. As a boy he spent his days in the woods hunting and swimming in the cold clear creeks back in the hills. He always talked of jumping from the rocks and beating the snakes back to the banks. He would build his own roller coaster by using logs coated with grease riding them down the side of the hill. It was fun going down, but the end of the ride was a little rough. There were many days spent helping his dad on the farm plowing behind a mule. John went to school until the 9th grade. Then when he was in his 40's, he went to night school with his wife and received his G.E.D. His kids were so proud of them. At the age of 21 he married the love if his life, Imogene Jones. One day while Imogene's dad was down at the hog pen, they made a trip across the border to Jelico, Tennessee. With John's older sister playing the part of the mother of the bride they wed on June 6, 1959. Then, very shortly after on December 13, Tony was born. You do the math. Within a span of six years they had 4 children. Tony, Sharon, James, and Chris. John spent 22 years mixing chemicals to make fine crystal glass which was known throughout the world as Tiffin Glass in Ohio. Later he settled with his family in Mansfield, Texas. He worked until the age of 63. Finishing his career with GATX. Though he left the hills of Kentucky years earlier, he always said "you can take the boy out of the hills, but you can't take the hills out of the boy." He was very proud of where he came from. Everything from the country side to the coal mining heritage he grew up around. John was very much a family man. He loved his Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters. As a father and a husband he had a great unending love. He loved his wife, sons, and daughter more than anything on this earth; until grandchildren came along. He had 10 grandchildren ranging from 7 to 21 years of age. After a family gathering he would speak for days about how much he loved watching the kids play together. Through all of his trials and tribulations, John would say "I'm a tough ole' bird." And indeed he was, all the way to the end. John went to be with his Lord and savior this past Sunday evening on June 27, 2010. John you will be greatly missed. We love you my dear husband. We love you Dad. We love you Papa. He was preceded in death by his parents and by eight siblings. Survivors: Wife of 51 years, Imogene Perry; children, Tony Perry and wife, Felicia, Sharon Grogg, James Perry and wife, Tina, and Chris Perry and wife, Jennifer; 10 grandchildren; and eight siblings. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Perry please visit our Sympathy Store.