I have such fabulous memories of our friend Cliff, and you can't say his name without adding, "and Buff." I was thinking that the two of them have known each other since grammar school and became a couple in our early high school years. There love for each other has been exuding since the earliest of their days. We are all so sad that Cliff has left us, but we must always cherish those special memories we share.
This morning I awakened and tried to think of words to describe our friend. Cliff was a leader and resposible mentor... He was loyal, honest, and devoted to his loved ones and his passions... but for me I think of him as being so "kind "... I would have to say, " Cliff, a job well done. I am so happy that our paths crossed.
You will be missed."
Pam Bain Davis❤️
Cliff Perry led an amazing life filled with love, kindness, family, friends, great accomplishments, and good deeds. This is to summarize the highlights of his wonderful life, however, for a more detailed account, I refer you to Cliff's obituary, which appeared in the June 30th, 2020 Journal. Here is the summary:
CLIFF PERRY, JR..
Clifford "Cliff" W. Perry, Jr., was born on May 5th, 1944 and passed away peacefully at the age of 76 at his home on June 29th, 2020. Cliff was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC and lived there most of his life. He met his sweetheart of more than sixty years, Buff, at Wiley Elementary School, and they graduated together from Reynolds High School in 1962. At Reynolds, Cliff participated in many school activities and associations, including the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Also, he excelled in sports, including varsity and junior varsity football and basketball.
After Reynolds, Cliff went on to attend his beloved Duke University, while his future bride attended the rival university, UNC. Cliff and Buff were married the weekend after graduation and their marriage miraculously survived 54 years of tense Duke v. Carolina competition, proving unequivocally that loves conquers all. While at Duke, Cliff was a member of the Duke golf team and played on the 1966 ACC Championship team. Throughout his life, he was a dedicated supporter of Duke University and Duke athletics. He was a member of the Iron Dukes for many years and made sure all of his grandchildren were too. As a die hard Duke fan in the middle of Tar Heel country, he attended as many Duke football and basketball games as possible.
After graduating from Duke in 1966, he went on to receive his MBA from The Wharton School of Business. Following graduate school, he served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. His final tour was at the Fleet Intelligence Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon completion of his naval service, he and Buff returned to Winston Salem. Thereupon, after a long career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Cliff finished his career at Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company.
During retirement, Cliff spent his time doing what he loved the most, playing golf. He was a proud member of the Old Town Club, where he served as the club treasurer for thirty years. He played in both the Southern Seniors and the United States Senior Golf Associations (USSGA). He served on both of their boards and ran the membership committee for the USSGA for fourteen different states for many years. He spoke often of completing the elusive Senior Slam, which was awarded to anyone who competed in each of the 15 USSGA tournaments held around the country.
When not competing in golf, he loved ot hunt and fish. He cherished his trips with friends to fly fish and hunt around the country. Throughout his life he contributed generously to Ducks Unlimited and NC Wildlife and Trout Unlimited. Cliff was a patron of his local community where he served in various roles with the United Way, Centenary Church, Rotary Club, the Enrichment Center, Senior Services, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Service Award twice and served as their treasurer for 25 years.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 54 years, Buff, and his children, Beth Perry of Winston Salem, Ford and Jeanene Perry of Charleston, and Annie Sager of Raleigh. He was the proud grandfather to Perry and Davis Skorich, Web and Arianna Perry, and Reed and Cliff Sager. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Booker of Sea Island, Georgia. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Cliff and "Pinkie" Perry and his sister, Betsy Sommerkamp. The family would like to thank Dr. William Applegate, Felicia Love and Trellis for their devoted care of Cliff during the last years of his life.
A private service will be held at Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be sent to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), 216 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401; Centenary Church, PO Box 658, Winston Salem, NC 27102; or Trellis, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com , Slame Funeral and Cremation Service, 120 S. Main St., Winston Salem, NC 276101.
- The R. J. Reynolds High School, Class of 1962 would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Buff and all of Cliff's family and for them to know how proud we were of him and how much he was loved by his fellow classmates. They should know that the Perry family is in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish them God's Peace as they go though this sad time. May the good Lord bless our good friend and classmate, Cliff Perry, and may he rest in peace.
I remember Cliff well and am so sorry to hear about his death. My memories of Cliff are from high school where I played sports with him and participated in school activities. Although we were not close friends, I admired his confidence and leadership characteristics from the periphery of his circle of friends. I remember playing football with Cliff (who was talented enough to play both offense and defense) and after making a tackle for a loss, he made the effort to come over and congratulated me. His unique blend of charm, good looks, and quiet confidence compelled everyone to gravitate toward him which made him one of the most popular guys in our class. I don't remember ever seeing Cliff angry, hotheaded, or being disrespectful of anyone. He embodied all of the characteristics that we commonly associate with being the "all American boy". In many ways, Cliff was like the Hubble character in the movie "The Way We Were". Although I never ran into Cliff again after high school, he is one of the memorable figures at the center of most of my recollections of R.J. Reynolds. We've lost a good, decent man. My condolences go out to Buff and their children.
Cliff was one of the nicest young men at Reynolds when I was there. By the way, we went to Wiley School together and he chased me all over the playground. Or was I chasing him?
I was impressed by his loyalty to Buff when she was in her auto accident in high school. He also impressed me by his demeanor at all times. He was mature. And kind to everyone. He just had a way about him that was not silly or flip but sincere. Cliff was just one of the most successful at "high school" that I knew. I'm so sorry to hear of his death.
Pam Bain (Davis)
I have such fabulous memories of our friend Cliff, and you can't say his name without adding, "and Buff." I was thinking that the two of them have known each other since grammar school and became a couple in our early high school years. There love for each other has been exuding since the earliest of their days. We are all so sad that Cliff has left us, but we must always cherish those special memories we share.
This morning I awakened and tried to think of words to describe our friend. Cliff was a leader and resposible mentor... He was loyal, honest, and devoted to his loved ones and his passions... but for me I think of him as being so "kind "... I would have to say, " Cliff, a job well done. I am so happy that our paths crossed.
You will be missed."
Pam Bain Davis❤️
Danny T. Ferguson
Cliff Perry led an amazing life filled with love, kindness, family, friends, great accomplishments, and good deeds. This is to summarize the highlights of his wonderful life, however, for a more detailed account, I refer you to Cliff's obituary, which appeared in the June 30th, 2020 Journal. Here is the summary:
CLIFF PERRY, JR..
Clifford "Cliff" W. Perry, Jr., was born on May 5th, 1944 and passed away peacefully at the age of 76 at his home on June 29th, 2020. Cliff was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC and lived there most of his life. He met his sweetheart of more than sixty years, Buff, at Wiley Elementary School, and they graduated together from Reynolds High School in 1962. At Reynolds, Cliff participated in many school activities and associations, including the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Also, he excelled in sports, including varsity and junior varsity football and basketball.
After Reynolds, Cliff went on to attend his beloved Duke University, while his future bride attended the rival university, UNC. Cliff and Buff were married the weekend after graduation and their marriage miraculously survived 54 years of tense Duke v. Carolina competition, proving unequivocally that loves conquers all. While at Duke, Cliff was a member of the Duke golf team and played on the 1966 ACC Championship team. Throughout his life, he was a dedicated supporter of Duke University and Duke athletics. He was a member of the Iron Dukes for many years and made sure all of his grandchildren were too. As a die hard Duke fan in the middle of Tar Heel country, he attended as many Duke football and basketball games as possible.
After graduating from Duke in 1966, he went on to receive his MBA from The Wharton School of Business. Following graduate school, he served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. His final tour was at the Fleet Intelligence Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon completion of his naval service, he and Buff returned to Winston Salem. Thereupon, after a long career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Cliff finished his career at Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company.
During retirement, Cliff spent his time doing what he loved the most, playing golf. He was a proud member of the Old Town Club, where he served as the club treasurer for thirty years. He played in both the Southern Seniors and the United States Senior Golf Associations (USSGA). He served on both of their boards and ran the membership committee for the USSGA for fourteen different states for many years. He spoke often of completing the elusive Senior Slam, which was awarded to anyone who competed in each of the 15 USSGA tournaments held around the country.
When not competing in golf, he loved ot hunt and fish. He cherished his trips with friends to fly fish and hunt around the country. Throughout his life he contributed generously to Ducks Unlimited and NC Wildlife and Trout Unlimited. Cliff was a patron of his local community where he served in various roles with the United Way, Centenary Church, Rotary Club, the Enrichment Center, Senior Services, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Service Award twice and served as their treasurer for 25 years.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 54 years, Buff, and his children, Beth Perry of Winston Salem, Ford and Jeanene Perry of Charleston, and Annie Sager of Raleigh. He was the proud grandfather to Perry and Davis Skorich, Web and Arianna Perry, and Reed and Cliff Sager. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Booker of Sea Island, Georgia. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Cliff and "Pinkie" Perry and his sister, Betsy Sommerkamp. The family would like to thank Dr. William Applegate, Felicia Love and Trellis for their devoted care of Cliff during the last years of his life.
A private service will be held at Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be sent to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), 216 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401; Centenary Church, PO Box 658, Winston Salem, NC 27102; or Trellis, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com , Slame Funeral and Cremation Service, 120 S. Main St., Winston Salem, NC 276101.
- The R. J. Reynolds High School, Class of 1962 would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Buff and all of Cliff's family and for them to know how proud we were of him and how much he was loved by his fellow classmates. They should know that the Perry family is in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish them God's Peace as they go though this sad time. May the good Lord bless our good friend and classmate, Cliff Perry, and may he rest in peace.
Respectfully submitted,
Danny T. Ferguson RJR62
Thomas M. Cordell
I remember Cliff well and am so sorry to hear about his death. My memories of Cliff are from high school where I played sports with him and participated in school activities. Although we were not close friends, I admired his confidence and leadership characteristics from the periphery of his circle of friends. I remember playing football with Cliff (who was talented enough to play both offense and defense) and after making a tackle for a loss, he made the effort to come over and congratulated me. His unique blend of charm, good looks, and quiet confidence compelled everyone to gravitate toward him which made him one of the most popular guys in our class. I don't remember ever seeing Cliff angry, hotheaded, or being disrespectful of anyone. He embodied all of the characteristics that we commonly associate with being the "all American boy". In many ways, Cliff was like the Hubble character in the movie "The Way We Were". Although I never ran into Cliff again after high school, he is one of the memorable figures at the center of most of my recollections of R.J. Reynolds. We've lost a good, decent man. My condolences go out to Buff and their children.
Dianne Pfefferkorn (Hobbs)
Cliff was one of the nicest young men at Reynolds when I was there. By the way, we went to Wiley School together and he chased me all over the playground. Or was I chasing him?
I was impressed by his loyalty to Buff when she was in her auto accident in high school. He also impressed me by his demeanor at all times. He was mature. And kind to everyone. He just had a way about him that was not silly or flip but sincere. Cliff was just one of the most successful at "high school" that I knew. I'm so sorry to hear of his death.