[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 108 (Friday, June 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       IN MEMORY OF SKIPPER PERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2017

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, South Carolina lost a 
devoted public servant with the death of former State Representative 
Skipper Perry. He was a courageous early pioneer for the Republican 
Party, helping develop the two-party system in South Carolina. On June 
21, 2017, a Service of Worship Celebrating the Life, Death, and 
Resurrection was conducted at First Baptist Church in Aiken, South 
Carolina, by Reverend Dr. Fred Andrea, III, Instrumentalist Joyce M. 
English, and Soloist Vince Cloud.
  The following thoughtful obituary was appropriately published in the 
Aiken Standard on June 20, 2017:

       Robert Spence (Skipper) Perry, Jr. of Aiken died peacefully 
     Father's Day, surrounded by his beloved wife and family.
       A lifelong resident of Aiken, Skipper was the son of the 
     late Robert Spence Perry, Sr. and May Seigler Perry. He is 
     survived by his wife, Anne Straus.
       In addition, Skipper is survived by his two sons, Stanley 
     (Meg) of Charlotte, NC and Richard (Kristin) of Washington, 
     DC. He leaves four grandchildren; Spence, Anne Healey, Liza 
     May and Burke. He is also survived by his brother, William 
     Perry (Rosaline) of Naples FL, Mary Ann Gunneson (Dave) of 
     Chattanooga, TN, Susan McCarty of Aiken, Jeannie (Earle) 
     Robinson (Earle) of Augusta, GA, Addison deAurora (Eric) of 
     Savannah, GA, and the late Otto McCarty, brother-in-law.
       Skipper's life was remarkable for its deep devotion to 
     family--enjoying contact with a brother or sister every day. 
     His family was the warm embrace that sustained him every day 
     of his life.
       He repaid that gift by devoting himself to the public 
     good--whether in elected office or in the service of those 
     who were unable to help themselves. He ministered to the 
     sickest among us. He offered support for the mentally and 
     emotionally disabled. What you know of his public deeds pales 
     by what he did for countless individuals privately and 
     unnoticed.
       He redefined the role of grandfather as an active 
     participant in their lives, interested in even the smallest 
     details of their routine.
       Skipper was honored recently as the Aiken Chamber ``Man of 
     the Year''. He has also served in the South Carolina State 
     Legislature, Mayor Pro Tempore City of Aiken, City Council of 
     Aiken, President Aiken Center for the Arts, President Mended 
     Hearts of Aiken, Founding member and Chairman of the Tri-
     Development Center, Chairman of the Adult Development Center, 
     Founding member of the Historic Aiken Foundation, President 
     of the United Way of Aiken, President Aiken Symphony Guild, 
     Chairman of the Heart Walk, President of Pinecrest Elementary 
     PTA, Chairman of Palmetto Amateur Golf Tournament, Sertoman 
     of the Year, Order of the Palmetto, President Aiken Jaycees, 
     President of the Aiken Sertoma Club, American Legion Post 26, 
     and Announcer Aiken Polo Club.
       Skipper was larger than life. He milked every ounce of 
     living from life until the moment of death.
       The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, 
     June 20, 2017 at Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne 
     Ave., Aiken, SC.
       Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 21, 
     2017 at Aiken First Baptist Church with The Rev. Dr. Fred 
     Andrea, III officiating. Interment will be held immediately 
     following at Historic Bethany Cemetery.
       Honorary pallbearers will be Aiken Sertoma Club, American 
     Legion Post 26, and the Mended Hearts of Aiken.
       In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to 
     Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 
     29801, Mended Hearts of Aiken, PO Box 976, Aiken SC 29802 and 
     the American Legion Post No. 26 (Boy's State Program), 602 
     Hampton Ave NW, Aiken, SC 29801.

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