Obituary of Noah Perry

Noah Redding (Buddy) Perry, 72, of Roanoke was released from his pain and suffering on earth into the loving arms of our Savior on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Buddy was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 5, 1939 to the late Gertrude Rawlings Perry and Noah R. Perry, Sr. He spent the first six years of his life in Hopewell, Va. with his only sibling Mildred "Midge" Perry Legat who died on November 6, 2001. His mother died when Buddy was 6 and her dying wish and plan was that Buddy and Midge go to the Baptist Orphanage in Salem, Virginia. Buddy graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1958. He excelled in football and track. In track he received the nickname "Flash". Frank Mosely, football coach at Virginia Tech came to Andrew Lewis and offered Buddy a full scholarship to Tech. He started his freshman years and again excelled in football. Buddy graduated from Tech in 1962. Buddy retired from General Electric after 36 years of faithful service. Buddy received his Lord and Savior at the early age of 12 and until he died he lived a quiet Christian Life. Humble, kind and always appreciative were traits he instilled in all who came in contact with him. Buddy loved being outdoors, especially working on his green grass that was kept to perfection. The last eleven years of his life he was not able to work in the yard but he still enjoyed looking at the grass that was green even in the dead of winter. Left to cherish his memory and spirit are his wife of 36 years, Cheryl. He was a wonderful father to his children, son John R. Perry of Los Angeles, California; daughters, Charlotte Garavaglia and her husband Paul of Triangle, Virginia; and Heather Donaho and her husband John W. Donaho, Jr. (who was like a son to "Chief" as John called him). He was grandad and "Poppy" to four grandchildren, Ashley Marie Donaho and Noah William Donaho of Roanoke; and Caroline Elizabeth Garavaglia and Lauren Grace Garavaglia of Triangle, Va. Also surviving are his former wife and friend, Carolyn T. Perry of Roanoke and his "adopted in heart" son Johnny Payne of Roanoke; brother in law, Robert Legat of Hopewell, Va.; nephew, Bruce Legat and wife Teri of Prince George, Va; and niece Lisa Fuzy and husband Victor of Prince George, Va. Buddy was blessed with many good friends who were such a help during his illnesses, John W. Donaho, Sr. of Natchitoches, La.; Marlene Evans and Jerry and Janet Hunter, Doug Drumwirght and Diane Scott, Bob Peak, Wilma Sowers, David and Sharon Griggs and Randy and Sherry Ruley. Buddy was a member of First Christian Church of Salem but had been unable to attend the last several years. His day started with the Serenity Prayer and ended with the Lords Prayer up until several weeks ago. The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. John F. Daugherty, Dr. Timothy Hormel, Good Samaritan Hospice, Angy, Brittany and Mary, Lewis Gale Medical Center-Admitting Office, Volunteers, Plasma Cipherosis Department and the 5 West Staff for their many acts of kindness and compassion. A celebration of Buddy's life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road with devoted friend Marlene Evans presiding. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice 32408 Electric Road Roanoke, Virginia 24019. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707 "It is done, good and faithful servant". Buddy's battle is over and his Victory won.