03/29/2005
In Celebration of the life of Perry Johnson MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES: Friday, April 1, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Evans-McCleery Funeral Home OFFICIATING Swann Juline MUSIC: "The Dance" "Go Rest High On That Mountain" "Daddy's Hands".
HONORARY PALL BEARERS: John Crook Dick Darnell Clifford DeMoss Tom DeVore Howard DeZwarte Roy Long Frank Mathias Ladd Montegna Tony Rider Verle VanGorp INTERMENT Graceland Cemetery MEMORIALS Knoxville Recreation Center National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum Mike McCleery and Malane McCorkle, Directors Perry Junior.
Johnson was born on May 7, 1939 in Cainesville, Missouri, the son of Perry Louis and Ellen Emaline Snow Johnson. He was raised and attended school in Knoxville where he graduated in 1957.
He worked at the VA Hospital prior to becoming a life long car salesman. He owned Johnson's Used Autos and later worked for Speedway Auto and Mathias Motors, from where he retired in 2000.
Perry married Cynthia M. Slater on December 26, 1978 in Knoxville.
His passion was anything with wheels on it; from antique collector cars to watching sprint car racing. For over 40 years, he enjoyed spending time at the Knoxville Raceway, where hedrove the tow truck and later, push trucks.
As his health deteriorated, he graduated to the stands and then to the Hall of Fame where he was comfortable being surrounded by family and friends. Perry was a wonderful family man and was a rock for all who knew him. He delighted in his children and grandchildren and received much enjoyment in watching them play.
His other joys came from spending time with friends, visiting and playing cards. He was never seen without a smile even when he was the his sickest and in pain.
Perry passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at the age of 65 years, ten months and seven days.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Leah Beth.
Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Cyndi; children, Larry (Peggy) of Knoxville, Sheryl of Tucson, AZ, Tina of Knoxville and Les (Heather) of Knoxville; two brothers, Robert (Donna) of Tucson and William (Connie) of Laurens, IA; and the lights of his life, three grandchildren, Ellen, Mackenzie and Jayden.
The family would like to extend an invitation to come to there home located at 310 N. First Street in Knoxville, following services, for lunch and refreshments.