John Henry Clay Perry Sr.

ohn Henry Clay Perry Sr., 92 of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2026. Born on December 10, 1934 in Chapel Hill, Texas, John better known as Jake, was the youngest son of Maurice and Rubie Perry.

Jake was known for his kindness, quick humor, and unwavering dedication to the people he loved. Over the course of his life, he built a respected 60+ year career as a master plumber and a jack of all trades. His passion was his family and his cats. He was a true Austin legend a proud papa for more than 50 years to his cats including 2 world’s oldest living cats, 38-year-old Granpa Rexs Allen and 34-year old Crème Puff and as codified in the Guinness Book of World Records (2011).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Rubie Perry, his brothers, Maurice Perry Jr, and Dave Perry, and his wife Judy Frances Perry. He was also preceded in death by his children: Rubie Lee Perry, Linda Frances Perry, and John Henry Perry. He is survived by his children by marriage Larry Gene Vaughn & Rhonda Kay Vega(Mark). As well as his grandchildren, Anthony James Thomas, Tamica Perry, Tracy Perry (Mike), Lloyd Thomas Jr. (Nicole), Regina Perry, Renee Wheeler, Walter Wheeler Jr., Shamica Wheeler, Tonya Perry, Amy Perry, John Perry, Cheri Perry, Patrick Shane Mugica, Briana Rose Vega, Teigan Raquel Vega Mikaela Alessandra Vaughn, Jordan Nicole Vaughn, and James Micheal Vaughn. He was also survived by a host of great‑grandchildren, extended family members, and the entire Austin community.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at South Austin Baptist Church, 8210 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78748. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Austin Humane Society, an organization Jake supported for decades.