COLERAIN – Norman Freeman Perry, 94, of Colerain, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 7, 2013.

He was born January 31, 1919 in Colerain and was the son of the late Linnie Donald Perry and Mary Freeman Perry.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marian Castellow Perry; his son, Norman Freeman Perry, Jr and wife, Jaquelin, of Colerain; two daughters, Gail Perry of Raleigh, and Mary-Lynn Perry Moore and husband, Dudley, of High Point; grandchildren Laura Monk and husband Coy, Colin Perry and wife Emily, John Hallett and wife Carolyn,  Freeman Perry and fiancée Mollie Boone, Cassie Gilbert and fiancé John Rice, Ellie Gilbert, Will Moore, Liz Moore, Sarah Lindner, George Lindner, and Edward Lindner; and great-grandchildren Ivy, Albert and Laura Gray Monk; Colin and Imogen Perry; and John Hallett III.

Norman received his Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest College in 1939.  He was a graduate of the World War II Industry Preparation Program at NC State College. He was an inspector of Navy Aircraft at Glenn L. Martin Co. in Baltimore, MD.  After serving in the US Navy, he returned to Colerain to run the family farming business with his father, and brother Melvin. He also helped manage Perry Wynns Fish Company.  When his brother died, Norman assumed a leadership role for the family and Melvin’s children.  He continued to expand and build Perry Farms until his death.

He was a leader in community civic life, serving on many local and regional boards.  He also served as a Vice-President of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and a proud member of Roanoke Tar River Gun Club.

Norman was a humble, inquisitive man who relished conversations with people in all walks of life, and was known affectionately as Agitator or Bear. He was happiest in the company of his ever expanding family, all of whom were a source of great pride. He lived in Colerain his entire life and deeply loved being there. He was a passionate outdoorsman and always felt connected to the land in Bertie County and the Chowan River, whether hunting with his dogs, fishing, farming or more recently idling down a scenic path watching the crops grow.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Colerain.  The family will receive friends Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at the family home at 512 East River Street, Colerain and following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Vidant Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 272, Ahoskie, NC27910 or Colerain Fire Department, PO Box 247, Colerain, NC27924.

The family would like to thank his friends for their loving support during his illness, and to acknowledge the dedicated Hospice staff, particularly Ann-Marie and Joy.

Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home, Windsor.