Harold Edwin Perry
May 23, 1937 — November 22, 2022
Harold Edwin Perry, 85, of Gahanna, Ohio passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on November 22, 2022. He was surrounded by his loved ones at the time he passed.
Harold was born on May 23, 1937, to the late David and Cora (Davis) Perry in McArthur, Ohio. After graduating from McArthur High School in 1954, Harold joined the Air Force where he served his country and first learned about computers working on fighter jet missile guidance systems. He was stationed at Kessler Air Force Base Biloxi, Mississippi. It was during his time in Biloxi that Harold surrendered his life to the Lord at the Biloxi Baptist Church in 1959. He later transferred to Lockbourne Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. While stationed here, he began to attend Southside Baptist Church in Columbus where he met the love of his life, Jan Perry. They wed on December 16, 1961, and had two children, Jeff and Cynthia.
After serving in the Air Force, he started his career with the Defense Department, first in Newark, Ohio at the Newark Air Force Base as a computer programmer working on the Minute Men missile guidance systems and in 1966, he transferred to the Defense Construction Supply Center in Whitehall, Ohio. He later became the first Civilian Director of the Defense Systems Automation Center. Harold worked at DSAC until his first retirement in 1998. Not one to sit around, he went back to work for a private government contracting firm and sat right outside his old office at DSAC continuing to write and negotiate government contracts until his second and third retirements in 2004 and 2007.
Outside of work, Harold loved the LORD and his family. He spent much of his free time leading worship and choirs at church, teaching Sunday School, singing specials and going to Southern Gospel concerts. His love for music carried on throughout his life with many family vacations centered around the National Quartet Convention to see his many friends in the Southern Gospel Music industry. He was also an avid sports fan, especially the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes, O-H . . . He was a season ticket holder to the Reds for many years as he and Jan loved to watch the Big Red Machine and the Buckeyes.
Harold was blessed with eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He loved to watch them in their high school sports, concerts, gymnastics, school performances and church activities; he was their constant cheerleader and supporter and never missed a game. Harold was predeceased by his parents, David and Cora; brothers, Davie and Carl; and sister, Helen. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Jan; children, Jeff (Tricia) and Cynthia; his grandchildren, Chelsea (Brett) Butler, Dreanna, Aubrie, Cora, Kelby, Christina, Colton and Cassandra; and great grandchildren, Clarice and Henry; as well as many loved ones and friends.
There will be a viewing on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 11am-1pm and a celebration of life service at 1pm at Jersey Baptist Church, 13260 Morse Road, New Albany, Ohio 43062. Day Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Harold Perry.
Harold was born on May 23, 1937, to the late David and Cora (Davis) Perry in McArthur, Ohio. After graduating from McArthur High School in 1954, Harold joined the Air Force where he served his country and first learned about computers working on fighter jet missile guidance systems. He was stationed at Kessler Air Force Base Biloxi, Mississippi. It was during his time in Biloxi that Harold surrendered his life to the Lord at the Biloxi Baptist Church in 1959. He later transferred to Lockbourne Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. While stationed here, he began to attend Southside Baptist Church in Columbus where he met the love of his life, Jan Perry. They wed on December 16, 1961, and had two children, Jeff and Cynthia.
After serving in the Air Force, he started his career with the Defense Department, first in Newark, Ohio at the Newark Air Force Base as a computer programmer working on the Minute Men missile guidance systems and in 1966, he transferred to the Defense Construction Supply Center in Whitehall, Ohio. He later became the first Civilian Director of the Defense Systems Automation Center. Harold worked at DSAC until his first retirement in 1998. Not one to sit around, he went back to work for a private government contracting firm and sat right outside his old office at DSAC continuing to write and negotiate government contracts until his second and third retirements in 2004 and 2007.
Outside of work, Harold loved the LORD and his family. He spent much of his free time leading worship and choirs at church, teaching Sunday School, singing specials and going to Southern Gospel concerts. His love for music carried on throughout his life with many family vacations centered around the National Quartet Convention to see his many friends in the Southern Gospel Music industry. He was also an avid sports fan, especially the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes, O-H . . . He was a season ticket holder to the Reds for many years as he and Jan loved to watch the Big Red Machine and the Buckeyes.
Harold was blessed with eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He loved to watch them in their high school sports, concerts, gymnastics, school performances and church activities; he was their constant cheerleader and supporter and never missed a game. Harold was predeceased by his parents, David and Cora; brothers, Davie and Carl; and sister, Helen. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Jan; children, Jeff (Tricia) and Cynthia; his grandchildren, Chelsea (Brett) Butler, Dreanna, Aubrie, Cora, Kelby, Christina, Colton and Cassandra; and great grandchildren, Clarice and Henry; as well as many loved ones and friends.
There will be a viewing on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 11am-1pm and a celebration of life service at 1pm at Jersey Baptist Church, 13260 Morse Road, New Albany, Ohio 43062. Day Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Harold Perry.
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