Ernie Cam Perry

Ernie C. Perry, 87, died on Monday, July 14, 2008 at his residence in Russell, KY. He was born on March 13, 1921 in Morgan County at Blaze, KY and was the son of the late Estill Lee and Gussie Patrick Perry. Mr. Perry was baptized many years ago and lived a Christian life. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Vona Cassity Perry; three brothers: Corbitt, Ollen, and Arnold; and two sisters: Versie and Verlie. Mr. Perry is survived by one son, Ernie Dale (Sharon) Perry of Russell, KY, two daughters; Rita (Jim) Patrick of Kenova, WV, and Donna (Charles) Morgan of Maysville, KY. Other survivors include five grandsons: Michael Perry, David (Gina) Perry, Charlie (Sonya) Patrick, Ross Morgan, and Brad (Lindsay) Morgan; one granddaughter Sarah (Dana) Smith; one great-grandson Warren Smith; and three great-granddaughters: Carmen Smith, Cassity and Isabella Patrick. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends. Mr. Perry served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1938-1939. Afterwards, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1940 and served until December 1946. He served on the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Wasp CV-7 in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and South Pacific and survived the sinking of this ship at Guadalcanal in September 1942. Afterwards, he went aboard the newly commissioned Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Princeton CVL-23 serving in Task Force 58 during nine South Pacific battles and survived the sinking of this ship at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. During his Navy service, he earned twelve Battle Stars. He was also at the two Bikini Atoll Atomic Bomb tests in 1946. After his Navy Service, he came home to Morgan County, KY prior to moving to Greenup County in 1952. He worked at Allied Chemical in South Point, Ohio until the plant closed. He returned to his love of farming and caring for the land. The family would like to thank the many caregivers for their care and acts of kindness during his extended illness. Funeral services will be conducted by Ceredo-Kenova Funeral Home at 11am Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Preston Family Funeral Home with Minister David Roach officiating. Burial will follow in the Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 6-9pm Thursday at the Preston Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donation to the Cassity Cemetery Fund. These may be made at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.ceredo-kenovafuneralhome.com