Wylie Kapp Perry, Jr.

Wylie Kapp Perry, Jr.’s BIG HEART beat its last beat on August 27, 2025. He was 74 when he was called home by his Lord. He had fought the good fight for three years struggling with heart disease, kidney disease, and kidney cancer. In the end he was cared for by the compassionate nurses, aides, social worker, and chaplain of Accent Hospice, as well as by his sitter and friend, Linda Robinson, whom he lovingly called “Ms. Earline”. He was never alone as he had his wife, son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, grandson, pastors, sister, family, and countless friends at his bedside until he was called home.

Kapp was a great husband, father, grandfather, avid hunter, and fisherman, and the kind of friend a friend would like to have, as evidenced by the love surrounding him all his life and in abundance in his last days.

Kapp was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 11, 1950, to Wylie Kapp Perry, Sr. and Mary Helen Pope Perry. He had one sister, Deborah Ann Perry.

Kapp graduated from Callaway High School in 1968. He went on to attend Hinds Junior College with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. His dream ended when he was drafted into military service during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Fort Myer in Virginia where he served as a Sergeant in the Caisson Unit “The Old Guard”. Working with horses in the Old Guard was the perfect assignment for Kapp because of his overwhelming passion, vast knowledge, and experience in working with them.

He participated in the burial of many dignitaries including Audie Murphy, the most highly decorated Soldier in U.S. History and was a well-known actor.

Kapp was married to Sue Miller Perry for 32 years. The two purchased 82 acres on Kennebrew Road in Northern Hinds County, Mississippi where Kapp, in his early years, had worked penning cattle for E.K. Bardin. Cattle were then taken to the Livestock Producers Auction, to be sold. It was on E.K. Bardin’s property that Kapp lost one of his spurs while working the cattle. He never found the spur. When E.K. Bardin’s property became available for sale, Kapp and Sue bought it. They named the place “Lost Spur”. Kapp’s love for horses prompted her and him to breed and raise quarter horses on their farm, which they enjoyed during the last 10 years of Kapp’s life.

After Kapp and Sue’s son, Miller Faulk, wife, Lauren Tabor, and had their children, Elliot and Perry, Kapp chose to be called “Atsa” rather than granddaddy. “Atsa” is from the Navajo language and means “Eagle”. It was an appropriate name for Kapp as he had reached the rank of Eagle Scout before his 18th birthday, thanks to the dedication and encouragement of his mother, Mary Helen Perry.

Kapp’s legacy is obvious through Miller, who also attained the rank of Eagle Scout while Kapp was one of his Scout Leaders. Miller was the youngest in Mississippi to obtain the Eagle Scout rank. Kapp’s love for hunting and fishing was also shared by Miller. Miller

chose to enlist in the Army where he is currently a Captain in the Mississippi National Guard.

Kapp was reunited with loved ones who preceded him in death: his father, Wylie Kapp Perry, Sr., mother, Mary Helen Perry, and his faithful friend and constant companion, Brody, his English Springer Spaniel.

Kapp was a member of Madison Heights Presbyterian Church. He was also a Mason like his father.

Kapp had two daughters from a previous marriage, Melissa Clatterbuck and Theresa Branham, who blessed him with two grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. They all live in Spotsylvania, Virgina.

Visitation will be held on August 29, 2025, at Parkway Funeral Home located at 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Funeral service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on August 30, 2025 at 11:00 am followed by a graveside service at Grace Cemetery at Madison Heights Church located at 415 Bozeman Road, Madison, MS 39110.

Kapp was one of a kind and “they” just don’t make them like Kapp anymore. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Madison Heights Church, American Heart Association, or the National Kidney Foundation.