Gary Lynn Perry

Gary Lynn Perry, a resident of rural Goreville, Illinois, was reunited with his beloved parents in Heaven on October 12, 2022. He passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by many loved ones. He was born on March 3, 1951 at home, in Johnson County, Illinois. Gary learned farm operations and the operation of large equipment from a very early age. He began his career as a truck driver at age sixteen on a paper chauffer’s license, which stated him to be eighteen. He was an accident-free professional truck driver for fifty-five years, who traveled all forty-eight contiguous U.S. states and Canada during his long career. Though skilled in all aspects of the trucking industry, his heart was farm and family, fueled with an incredible work ethic, a brilliant business mind, asphalt, rubber and steel. He loved beautiful trucks, which he kept immaculately clean, but could repair, when needed, with water dipped in a cup from a roadside ditch. He retired to his farm in early 2022, cared for in his final months by his life-long friend and treasured companion, Mrs. Donna Bloodworth. He continued directing farm operations and working in a consulting capacity for his long-time employer, Brown Brothers Trucking Company, and his dear friend Chris Brown, until the time of his death. He took extended leaves of absence from the trucking industry to personally contribute to the care of his beloved father following a farm accident in 2004, and again to care for his beloved Tracy, whom he never dreamed would predecease him. He loved family, farming, trucking, animals, nature, and music and was an incredible dancer. He would entertain you with colorful stories, but deep-down, he was a very humble and tender soul. Gary is survived by: his daughter and son-in-law – Dave and Amy L. Perry-Duringer; his grandson – Chance D. Duringer; his granddaughter – Savannah Lynn “Little L” Duringer; sisters – Lamona Jeanie Flick and Brenda Lingle; nieces and nephews – Steve (Stephanie) Pritchett, Gary Dale (Lynn) Pritchett, Bill (Pam) Elliott, Kim Delgado, Dusty (Kim) Lingle, and Tammy (Jim) Miller; as well as a large and loving extended family; his special friend, Donna Bloodworth; and many other dear friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Clara Faye Perry; his beloved partner – Tracy Pedigo Gillum; his brother-in-law – Kenneth Flick; and also some extra-special friends and heroes, all of whom he carried close until his passing. A religious, outdoor celebration of the heavenly homecoming of Gary L. Perry will be held at Friendship Cemetery, 1635 Friendship Loop, Goreville, Illinois, on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 11 AM. Loving family and friends held dear in his big heart are all welcome, but seating will be limited, so guests are invited to bring a lawn chair. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 AM – 11 AM Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Friendship Cemetery Association, 3544 Alum Cave Road, Marion, Illinois 62959 or to the Pentecostals of Lick Creek (in memory of Ernest and Clara Faye Perry), P.O. Box 77, Goreville, Illinois 62939.

Gary Lynn Perry

March 3, 1951 - October 12, 2022