John Morriss Perryman, Jr.
- John Morriss Perryman, Jr., dearest husband of Judith (Judy), father of Sara and John (III), father-in-law of Julie, and grandfather of Simon, Andrew, and Dylan, passed peacefully in the wee hours of Saturday, March 30, 2024. Our hearts ache for this loss, but we remember him with joy as the charming southern gentleman he was, his love for sweet tea, sweet corn, and sweet potato souffle a reminder of his roots and the many dentist visits to come.
Born to John and Virginia (Ginnie) Perryman in Newnan, Georgia, on March 17, 1941, Pop was an accomplished philatelist, oenophile, and napper. A spiffy dresser who never wore a pair of jeans after grade school, this man gardened in penny-loafers, reveled in pastel hues, and monogrammed just about everything. At 5ft 5in, he was a pint-sized powerhouse, lettering in four sports - baseball, football, basketball, and tennis - and drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the potential for sports stardom, pop chose a life of aluminum, working first for Kaiser Aluminum from 1964 - 1985, and then Copper & Brass Sales until retirement. His passion for metal alloys was matchless, a fact he proclaimed far and wide with a “bauxite” vanity plate. The happy result of this enthusiasm was a lifetime supply of aluminum foil, and a loving and well-cared for family.
An insufferable graduate of Georgia Tech, all conversations somehow circled back to the Yellow Jackets and, much to her annoyance, his daughter can still sing “I’m A Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” from memory. But the stories he told - while repetitive! - were always entertaining, an offbeat mix of childhood memories, engineering anecdotes, stock market lore, sports statistics, and travel tales - perhaps, not always true. He teased mercilessly, with a twinkle in his eye, but always laughed hardest at himself. Both gregarious and gentle, he could holler at a ballgame and turn around with a “thank you, darlin’” on a dime.
He was a talker. A negotiator, a salesman, and a broker of deals across the world. He. Loved. His Job. Day after day, week after week, year after year. He traveled almost constantly, yet rarely missed a soccer game - son’s or grandsons’ - his orbit always tethered to the focal point of home - church committees, neighborhood barbecues, post-preschool outings with grandkids, but most of all, a loving and amazing wife of 59 years who held down the fort, maintained community connections, tolerated his quirks, softened his edges, and shared countless vacations to Europe after the children were grown. They spent 47 years in southeast Michigan, supporting their different interests with love and celebrating their successes with delight.
Honest to a fault, fierce in his loyalty, steadfast as an anchor, a loving and lifelong partner to mom, we owe so much to Pop. We cherish and miss him, and will honor his legacy every moment of every day.
He is survived by the above immediate family, a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, seven nieces and nephews, seven grandnieces and nephews, and many close friends. While his dear sister, Peggy, died just a few years ago, she was always a vital presence in his heart and life.
Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan at 11:00am on Friday, April 5, 2024. Visitation with family will be prior to the service from 10:00am - 11:00am. A luncheon will be served at the Heathers Club after the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Foundation of First Presbyterian Church (fpcbirmingham.org/first-foundation.html) or the Georgia Tech Foundation (mygeorgiatech. gatech.edu/giving/make-a-gift), both of which Pop supported for decades.