Master Chief Douglas Avent Perry, Sr. (USN, Ret.) went home to be with our Lord on January 25, 2023. He was born on June 5, 1941, in Nash County, NC to the late Lucius Perry and the late Madelyn B. Perry Fleming.
Douglas received his early education through Norfolk County, VA (now Chesapeake) at Crestwood High School. After a family move, he continued his education in Newport, Rhode Island at Rogers High School and later joined the U.S. Army (Airborne Division) at the early age of 17 years old and served for 3 years as a paratrooper. He later continued his military service in the U.S. Navy for the next 27 years, and retired as a Command Master Chief, totaling 30 years from shipboard assignments to land-based duty stations receiving several accolades, honors, and several letters of appreciation.
Master Chief Perry also served as a trainer to young adults in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps as a LTjg (Lieutenant, junior grade) due to his innate ability to lead and his immaculate organizational skills.
Douglas later began a career with the New Jersey State Trooper Division and Corrections Department and retired after 18 years, also receiving outstanding honors and lauded for all.
Douglas later moved to Roanoke Rapids, NC where he became ill and relocated to Suffolk, VA to live with his sister Doris, who became his caregiver for 8 1/2 years. His life expectancy was 3 months; however, through the Grace of God, family love, and his love for Christ, he endured. He began attending church, and Sunday School regularly with his sister Doris, serving and praising God with such enjoyment and conviction. Douglas’ fellowship within the church was unequivocally loving in Christ.
Douglas loved traveling, photography, eating out; especially IHOP, watching Westerns, streaming gospel quartets, and watching Bishop Herman Murray, his favorite tv ministry.
Douglas loved his family and helping others. When he visited you and saw a need, he made sure to address and complete the task.
Douglas will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and leaves to mourn his beloved son Douglas Avent Perry, Jr.; his siblings Sarah Doris Perry Walston, William Morris Perry (Evelyn), John D. Alston (Garnett), Melford Alston (Madlyn), Deborah G. Grey (Vada), Cheryl Thann Freeman, and Shjonia “Sonya” Mitchell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Fair Winds and Following Seas!
