John Perham passed away Thursday, November 18th, 2021, after a brief illness, surrounded by family members. Services will be held at Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 24th. Visitation at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00AM, located at 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA.
He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on September 12th, 1934, and raised mostly in Ada, Oklahoma. One of his proudest achievements in high school was being on the first Ada football team to win a state championship. He was a graduate of East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. He served in the Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and serving two tours in Vietnam, post-war South Korea, various assignments in Germany, the Panama Canal, and stateside.
John Perham was a very kind, loving, and generous man. He loved spending time with his family, vacationing to Orange Beach, and taking cruises. He was an avid Alabama football fan and spent his weekends watching all the football games. He was a devoted follower of Jesus and enjoyed fellowship with other believers, as well as sharing his faith with others.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Marie Perham, who died shortly after her birth, his parents Harlowe and Ruth (Swander) Perham, and his wife Rita Rochambeau Perham.
He is survived by his son Steve Perham in Lima, Ohio, several grandchildren Christina (Ma) Cockerham, David Perham and Daniel Perham, and several great grandchildren, his brother Jim (Margaret) Perham, nephews Bob (Ty), Mike (Tammy), and their children. Stepson Stephen (Brenda) Simonton, grandchildren Kelly (Rob) Gardner, Crystal Simonton, stepdaughter Deidre (Tom) Young, grandchildren Brennan Young, Kara (Trevor Ibarra) Young, great grandchildren Allison, Abigail, and Nate Gardner, extended family Judith and Mark Woodhams, and a devoted caregiver and friend Stacy Forbes.
Thank you to all who helped care for John. He was a joy and light in our life. He will be greatly missed by all of us. John looked forward to sitting with Jesus as his eternal reward.
