David Alan Perry

David Alan Perry, 73, of Raleigh, took his final flight on June 18, 2025, surrounded by family at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. Born in Raleigh on June 14, 1952, to the late Marie F. Perry and Willard S. Perry, David’s life was marked by a deep love for family, the land, and the open sky.

Growing up in Raleigh alongside his four siblings, David quickly learned the value of time spent with loved ones. Weekends were often filled with joyful trips to Louisburg, where the "Perry crew" gathered with aunts, uncles, and cousins at Uncle Frank “Doc” Alford’s farm. It was there that David’s passion for farming took root—a dream he realized decades later on his own 36-acre farm in Siler City after retirement. Summers took him to Surf City, where he worked at his grandmother’s ice cream shop and laundromat, “The Kooler.” These coastal days were spent surfing and fishing, igniting a love for the ocean that he lovingly passed on to his children and grandchildren.

David's professional life as a corporate pilot began with acquiring his airplane mechanics certification (A&P) and working as a mechanic with Raleigh Flying Service and Airlift Associates at RDU. He advanced his early flight career through flying freight, bank runs, and on-demand charter flights. His children fondly recall special "maintenance trips" to Greensboro and "check runs" to Wilmington, journeys that were more than just work; they were treasured moments. He spent the bulk of his career flying for General Parts International, Inc.

In Raleigh, he met his beloved Cheryl King, and they were married on December 7, 1985. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their two daughters in Cary before finding their peaceful haven on their Chatham County farm.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Fox Perry and Willard Samuel Perry; his brother, Willard S. (Sam) Perry Jr., his brother-in-law, Charles Rouse, and many cherished aunts and uncles.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter carried on by his wife, Cheryl Perry; his siblings, Susan Rouse, Leatha Ritchie and her husband Bob, and Mark Perry; his brother-in-law, Ray King and his wife Gina; his sisters-in-law, Melinda Eads and Joanna Perry; and his cousins, Phyllis Foster and her husband Johnny, Judy Glanville and her husband Jim, and Phil Perry and his wife Jackie. He will be profoundly missed by his children, David Simon Perry, Ashley Eisma and her husband Ryan, and Katherine Hamski and her husband Kevin; his many nieces and nephews; and his adored grandchildren, Colton Eisma, John Hamski, and Maggie Eisma.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice or Duke Dementia Family Support Program, Box 3600 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710.

The family wishes to thank Duke Geriatrics North Durham, Duke Primary Care of Galloway Ridge, Christina Kleinert of DukeWELL and Duke Dementia Family Support Program for their kind and compassionate care of David and the family.