Thomas “Tom” James Perry, 77, of Murphy passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in an Atlanta, Georgia hospital. He grew up in Lake Orion, Michigan. Tom served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He later moved to South Florida where he had worked for South Florida Mack Truck for 17 years. Tom retired to Murphy in 1997, and had worked for Pro Flame locally. He was a member of the Masons, Eastern Star, and Shriners organizations. He was also a member of the VFW Post 10222 (Murphy). Tom was an avid motorcycle rider and had belonged to the Mustang Motorcycle Club in Miami, Florida.

He was the son of the late William Perry and Thelma Stickel Perry Butler. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Judy Bowman.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Dixie Perry; a daughter, Tamia Perry Van Nest and husband, Clint of Kissimee, Florida; a granddaughter, Brette Van Nest Burgos and husband, Ron of Corpus Christi, Texas; a step-son, John W. Dennis and wife, Jennine of Bowie, Maryland; two-step grandchildren, Trisha Snowden and husband, Matt, of Bowie, Maryland, and William D. Dennis of Birmingham, Alabama; two-step great grandchildren, Hailey and Gavin Snowden; a sister, Carolyn Gerber and husband, Larry of Redding, California; and several nieces and nephews.

The interment will be at a later date in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Georgetown, Delaware.

The family received friends from 4:00-6:00 Sunday evening, December 30, 2018 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Thomas “Tom” James Perry to the Shriners Hospital, c/o Chuck VanGorder, PO Box 307, Andrews, NC 28901.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.