Donnie Clifford Perry, 78, of Smyrna, TN. Passed away 2/14/24.

It was strangely appropriate that he should leave this earth on the day the world celebrated Valentine's Day, the day of love. It was also Ash Wednesday, the solemn day of remembering that we are "dust and to dust we shall return" because he was a man full of both love and faith.  He did not fear the end of his life but said that he truly trusted God and wanted to live his life to the fullest, no matter how much time he had left. And he did just that!

He especially loved his family, his church community, as well as the Middle Tennessee Remote Control Society, where he spent many many years enjoying his favorite hobby of flying and building remote controlled airplanes with his best buddies.  He also loved the work he was able to do with the children in the Flying Ace Club as he helped teach and pass on all he had learned about the hobby to that generation.

He loved to work with his hands and those strong hands could build literally anything.  He built many beautiful things over the years, including stunning one of a kind kitchen cabinets for his daughter, Holly, a cedar hope chest for his daughter, Julie, as well as  many home improvements, including the home addition of a fireplace with a chimney, and of course hundreds of remote controlled airplanes.  Anything he put his mind and hand to he could build!

He continually gave his life selflessly to anyone that needed his help.  That will be his legacy and that is how he will be remembered by those that knew him best.  He deeply understood that love and kindness is the only thing that we can take with us when we leave this earth and it's all we can leave behind that will have truly mattered!

He will be greatly missed by those that loved him but we take great comfort in knowing that he is in the arms of Our Heavenly Father.

A memorial will be held at one of his favorite spots:
Middle Tennessee Radio Control Society -Cane Ridge Park (flying field is off to the right), 419 Battle Road, Antioch, TN. 37013. Saturday, March 9th, 11:00 AM.
In the event of rain, the memorial will be held at the picnic shelter at the park (which is off to the left).