James "Perry" Adair

James “Perry” Adair, 85, of McDonough, Georgia, was born March 23, 1941, in Forest Park, Georgia, and passed away September 29, 2026. Perry was deeply beloved and cherished, known for a steady work ethic, an honest way of living, and a thoughtful, compassionate presence that meant more than words can capture to those who loved him.

Perry grew up in Forest Park and graduated from Forest Park High School, Class of 1959. In his younger years, he enjoyed amateur dirt track racing in his hot rod—complete with flames painted along the sides—an early glimpse of the energy and care he brought to the things he loved. His family’s homestead stood on Main Street back when it was still a dirt road, eventually leading to Ft. Gillem, grounding his life in the place and people he held close.

In 1962, Perry married Sherry (Blanton) Adair, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned 64 years. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he trained and worked on radar systems on the B-52s at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia. After his service term, and after welcoming their son Jimmy, Perry moved back to Forest Park to be nearer to family—an enduring reflection of the value he placed on home and the people within it.

Perry worked in sales for most of his life, including 26 years with Eastern Airlines in Air Cargo sales until the company dissolved. Through his work with Eastern, the family had many opportunities to travel around the world, back in the days when air travel called for Sunday dress clothes. Among his favorite journeys were trips to the Hawaiian islands, memories that remained a treasured part of family life.

After retirement, Perry enjoyed more than 20 years of well-earned rest and time with those he loved. He also loved sports—especially Braves baseball and Georgia Tech football. He would root for UGA for the sake of the kids and grandkids, but only when they were not playing Tech, a small tradition that brought its own familiar warmth to family seasons and Saturdays.

Perry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sherry (Blanton) Adair; his children, James T Adair (Tammy) and Kathy L (Adair) Granger (Bill); his grandchildren, William Patrick Granger, Caitlyn B Granger, Ryan James Adair (Kelly), and Jason Alexander Adair; and his great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Adair. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Carl and Marie Adair; his brother, Richard Carl (Joyce); and his sister, Ann Marie Adair.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Thomas L. Scroggs Funeral Directors, 6362 S. Lee Street, Morrow, GA 30260. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A Interment will follow at Morrow Cemetery, 1590 Adamson Pkwy, Morrow.