James Murray Perry Jr.

Dr. James Murray Perry, Jr. was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 13, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Murray and Louise Lightfoot Perry, and his sister, Nancy Bowers (Bob). He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Lynn Shull Perry; his children, Margaret Dearolph (Jeff), Florence Berti (John), and Jim Perry (Keri); his sister-in-law, Ann Lauterbach; his brother-in-law, Harrison Shull, Jr. (Cathy); eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.

Dr. Perry graduated as valedictorian of Montgomery Bell Academy (Class of ’56) and earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Vanderbilt University. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He completed his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, followed by cardiology fellowships at Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

From 1967 to 1969, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, attaining the rank of Major. He joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1971, where he served until 1989 and directed the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. Following his time at Vanderbilt, Dr. Perry practiced cardiology privately for fourteen years. His many professional honors and affiliations included recognition as an American Heart Association Teaching Scholar, appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine, and fellowships in the American College of Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Jim affectionally known as “Papa” had a deep love for his family. Many summer days were spent together on Dale Hollow and Center Hill Lakes as he enjoyed boating, skiing and lounging in the water. He loved teaching his children, nieces and nephews how to ski, how to drive the boat and learn to love God’s creation at these lakes. In addition, he was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan as he attended their numerous extracurricular activities. He had an avid curiosity about how things worked and a lifelong love of trains from model railroading to life size trains. This included the restoration of Engine 576 which resided in Centennial Park for decades.

Jim was a devoted member of Forest Hills Baptist Church and was both a member and Group Leader of Bible Study Fellowship for many years. In recent years, he enjoyed his Friday morning Men’s Group studying the Word and breaking bread each week. He loved studying, discussing and applying the Word of God to his life and sharing the Gospel with others he met. He wanted all to know his personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

His family expresses deepest gratitude for the loving care he received at Richland Place Health Center partnered with Alive Hospice of Nashville.

Visitation will be held at Richland Place, 500 Elmington Ave, Nashville, TN on Sunday, October 25, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. An additional visitation will be held on Monday, October 26, at 9:00 AM at Forest Hills Baptist Church, 2101 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church, the Nashville Steam Preservation Society (220 Willow Street, Nashville, TN 37210) or the charity of your choice.