Mack Donald Perry Jr.

Mack Donald Perry, Jr., 88, died March 14, 2015 at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, Raleigh. Born April 5, 1926 in an eastern Wake County farmhouse near Rolesville, he was the son of Mack D. Perry, Sr., and Lovie Robertson Perry. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother Everette Gay Perry, his sister Sybil Perry Watkins, and his brother H. Glenn Perry. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Singleton Perry, and his children, Alice, Don, and Giles of Raleigh.

Mack grew up during the Depression on a tobacco, corn, and cotton farm near the corner of present day Mitchell Mill and Quarry Roads in eastern Wake County. Mack attended elementary school at Wakelon School in Zebulon, and later at Rolesville School. In his teenage years he drove the school bus at Rolesville High School, and graduated from there in 1943.

Mack lost his mother at age 13, but he and his siblings were cared for with devotion by his father, a cherished aunt, Lucy Perry Yeargin, his step mother Ruby Clark Perry, and his extended Robertson and Perry families. At home, Mack helped his father farm, and run their country store, which also served as the local voting precinct. Mack's lifelong interest in the political process likely began with the conversations he heard around the store stove, and he remained a loyal Democrat his entire life.

Mack briefly attended Wake Forest College before volunteering to join the Navy at age 18 in 1944 during World War II. He served in Oahu, Hawaii at Headquarters Fleet Marine Force, as a Pharmacist‘s Mate. Following World War II, Mack returned to Wake County, and helped his family build a new home near Mitchell Mill from recycled lumber obtained from surplus buildings at Camp Butner. Mack returned to Wake Forest College, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, and a minor in Mathematics, in 1950.

In the spring of 1947, Mack met his future bride and love of this life, Dorothy Lou Singleton of Raleigh, at an event attended by Wake Forest and Meredith College students. Mack and Dorothy were married August 13, 1949 at First Baptist Church of Raleigh, Salisbury Street, and remained happily married for over 65 years. Mack began his lifelong love of bridge at Wake Forest College, and he and Dorothy played bridge and also enjoyed square dancing for many years.

Mack and Dorothy began their married life in a home near Five Points and faithfully and lovingly raised their three children there and later, in a home in North Hills. During his years living in North Hills, Mack was a charter member and served on the founding Board of the Northbrook Swim Club, a neighborhood pool.

Mack started work at Noland Company in Raleigh in 1950, and remained with the company for most of his work life, retiring as Credit Manager in 1987. When not at work, Mack was a faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church, Salisbury Street, Raleigh, from his marriage until his death, where he served as a deacon, and as President of the Everette Miller Sunday School Class.

Mack was active in civic affairs in Raleigh his entire adult life, as a member of the Jaycees, where his served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, and as a member of the Capital City Kiwanis Club, where he was honored for having perfect attendance for 46 years from 1967 to 2013. He worked tirelessly to raise funds for the children's charities supported by Kiwanis, from selling peanuts to selling pancake day plates. Mack served the Capital City Kiwanis Club as Fundraising Chairman, on the Board of Directors, as Vice President, and was twice named as Kiwanian of the Year.

Mack was also a long-time member of the Bull and Bear Investment Club. In his early working years, he enjoyed team bowling. Through retirement, he enjoyed supervising production on the family farmland, raising wheat, soybeans, and tobacco. In his later years, Mack enjoyed traveling with his wife and family on several trips to Europe, returning to Hawaii, and many weekends at Myrtle Beach, SC and Blowing Rock, NC.

Mack was a devoted and loving father and friend, dignified, honest, and ethical. He exemplified the qualities of kindness, patience, and acceptance.

Mack was known to say "there are enough ways to go around -- for everyone to have one" a saying he had heard from his father, an authentic expression of love and tolerance for his fellow men and women, which he demonstrated every day.

He loved every member of his extended Perry, Robertson, Singleton, and Freeman families, his friends, neighbors, and colleagues. He was joyful in their company and care. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Springmoor Life Care Community, and its Stewart Health Center, for their devoted care during his residence there. We are grateful for you, and we thank you.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 20 at 11 am at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, 1500 Sawmill Rd, Raleigh. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Mack D. Perry, Jr. may be made to First Baptist Church, Salisbury Street, Raleigh, or the Kiwanis International Foundation.

Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC 27605

www.brownwynne.com