Kermit Silas Perry

Kermit was born May 13, 1933, in Cedartown, GA, the only child of Elbert D. and Clara Mae Perry. He attended Cedartown High School where he excelled in football, basketball and track. Kermit graduated Cedartown High School before attending The University of Georgia, on football scholarship, for coach Wally Butts. After sustaining 14 shoulder separations, his football days were over, be he completed his UGA athletic career as S.E.C. champion high-hurdler. He served as captain of the track team for two years, and president of the G-Club. Kermit credited his success in track to his coach and mentor, the late coach "Spec" Forest Towns. Some of Kermit's records still stand today. While at the University, Kermit was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Gridiron, Sphinx, and Blue Key Secret Society. During his senior year, he was presented the "Distinguished Military Student" award and was a member of Scabbard and Blade, a military honor society. After graduation, he served six months of active duty with the U.S. Army. During that time, he won the high hurdles at the Sugar Bowl invitational, set a hurdlers record at the Fort Benning Invitational, and was chosen to the third Army All-Star team. Kermit received his master's degree in Education Administration at Peabody University. He was hired as track coach and assistant football coach at Darlington School in Rome, Ga, and later coached football and was head track coach at Richmond Academy in Augusta. In 1960, Kermit became the head football coach in Tifton, GA. In 1964, Kermit left the ranks of high school athletics to be head of the Department of Recreation in Newnan, GA. While in Newnan, he was active in various civic organizations, President of the Kiwanis Club and named Newnan Jaycee's "Young Man of the Year" in 1967. Kermit's involvement was not only as a coach and player. He spent 25 years officiating high school and college basketball. He remained active for many years with the SEC basketball tournament administration. In 1971, Kermit returned to his alma mater, UGA, as the business manager for the Bulldogs, later becoming assistant athletics director for UGA with coach Vince Dooley. In 1981, opportunity was called by way of new Auburn head coach, Pat Dye. Kermit joined the Auburn staff as assistant athletics director - responsible for facilities and game operations. He and his wife, Betsy packed away all of their red and black memorabilia and became loyal Auburn Tigers. In 1992, Kermit and Betsy moved to Newnan. They unpacked their red and black from the Alma Mater they shared but kept a warm place for the many friends they had in Auburn. Kermit remained active as a knowledgeable athletics supporter for the University of Georgia and local high school teams. For ten years he hosted coach Danny Cronic's weekly tv show for East Coweta High School. In 1992, after 22 years in college athletics, Kermit entered a new career with the Georgia Department of Pardons and Paroles. During the next eleven years, he achieved certification as a post certified instructor and master instructor. He spent countless hours in the classroom at the Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth teaching in service for parole, GBI, Georgia Police Corp and the general instruction department. Throughout his career, Kermit has enjoyed being asked to speak at numerous conferences and workshops on a variety of topics. Kermit served on the Coweta Sports Hall of Fame board and was inducted as a member in 2006, for his notable contributions to athletics both on and off the field. Kermit's love of people kept him very active, and he enjoyed his participation in the White Oak Men's golf association. He loved to share a good story and his many years of high school and college athletics provided him with endless material. The memorial service celebrating the life Kermit lived is Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 3:00 PM at SonRise Baptist Church, 6 Shenandoah Blvd E, in Newnan with Rev. Don Helms and Dr. Tim Riordan officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 PM until service time at the church. He is survived by his wife, Betsy Haavie Perry; son, Steve Perry and his wife Angel; grandchildren Heather and Jackson Perry; step son Chip Marett and his wife Kathryn and their children Kiley and Briggs Marett; Step daughter Laura Marett and her husband Scott Wilkening and their child Henry Wilkening. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Kermit's name to Spec Towns Endowment, In Care of the Georgia Bulldog Club, P.O. Box 1472, Athens, GA 30603 or to SonRise Baptist Church Youth Program, 6 Shenandoah Blvd E., Newnan, GA 30265. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Kermit Silas Perry

May 13, 1933 - February 25, 2023