Ralph L. Perry

Ralph Linwood Perry, 94, of Glen Allen and Waynesboro,  passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle F. Perry and Callie Carroll Perry; a sister, Marion Perry McCoy; two brothers, Donald C. and Douglas S. Perry; and a niece, Tina Mae Perry.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 51 years, Martha Koonce Perry; a son, Michael A. Perry, of Henrico County; a daughter, Sara Perry Hawkins, and her husband, David and their children, Makenzie, Abigail, Austin and Scarlett Hawkins of Tampa, FL.  He is also survived by a sister, Norma Perry Lindsay;  six nephews, Jim Clark, Dick Clark, Ron Perry, Mark Perry, David Lindsay, and Darrell Lindsay; and two nieces, Teri Lindsay Gibbons, and Lisa Perry; also six great-nephews and four great-nieces. 

Ralph was born on the Perry family farm near Raphine (Rockbridge County), VA in August of 1929.  His parents were from Raphine and Brownsburg, VA.  In 1944, the family moved to a smaller farm near Staunton, VA.  Ralph was a member of the first graduating class of Wilson Memorial High School, Fishersville, VA in 1948.  He then joined the U.S. Air Force for a three year term, but due to the Korean War he spent another year, “The Truman Year”.  He served in the U.S. and more than two years in Japan, on a small island off the southern coast of Korea.  He was discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1952.

Ralph was then employed by the Virginia Department of Highways in Staunton, VA.  In 1958, he transferred to the central office in Richmond, working in the Location and Design Division, supervising studies to locate the Interstate System.  In 1966, he transferred to the Transportation Planning Division.  Ralph retired from VDOT as an Assistant State Transportation Planning Engineer in 1991, with 39 years of service.

Ralph was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Brook Hill and the Glen Allen Ruritan Club.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Augusta Memorial Park, 1775 Goose Creek Road, Waynesboro, VA.

A special thanks to the staff of Legacy Hospice for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 1214 Wilmer Ave., Richmond, VA 23227 or Legacy Hospice, 14 Old Oaks Lane, suite 101, Fishersville, VA 22939.