Perry Roberts

Perry Duel Roberts, age 89 of Cookeville, passed away Monday September 5, 2022.

Perry was born in 1933 in Crawford, Tennessee. He was one of thirteen children born to Odie and Carlie Roberts. As a boy, his days consisted of hunting to help provide for his family, working in the garden and fields, drawing water, and attending the local one-room school. In 1950, at seventeen, he moved north to Findlay, Ohio. He worked for Timken Detroit Axle Company as a machine operator. He also joined the National Guard, his first step on a long journey in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed bowling and roller skating and met his first wife, Phyllis Jean Statler, while skating. In 1955, he joined the Regular U.S. Army. Over the next thirty years, he would serve in the Army, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM). He spent over half of his career serving overseas. He had five tours of duty in Germany and three combat tours in Vietnam. His first son David was born in Germany during his first tour in that country. He experienced many different cultures and wide-ranging sights while serving in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

In 1975, he attended the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. He later became Post Sergeant Major at Fort Eustis, Virginia, the home of the Army Transportation Corps. His Army career spanned a great deal of change from the integration of the Army, the cultural struggles of the 1960s, Vietnam, the move to an all-volunteer force, and the post-Vietnam military. He was always very involved with individual soldiers and young leaders. In 1980, he moved to Cookeville and spent his last year in the Army working with the Tennessee Tech ROTC program. After retiring from the Army, Perry worked at AVCO Corporation in Nashville for five years. He then worked for the City of Cookeville as a construction inspector for ten years and then as a court officer for five years.

In 2004, his wife Phyllis passed away after a long battle with cancer. In 2005, he married Barbara Wilson of Cookeville. They spent many years together traveling and working with civic organizations. She was a great helpmate to him in his later years. During his years in Cookeville, Perry was very involved with the American Legion and was a Rotary member for over twenty years. During his time in the American Legion, he served in various roles. Perry was a local Post Commander, State Commander, District Commander, and the National Executive Board. The American Legion Boy’s and Girl’s State for Tennessee were also organizations he worked with closely.

His first wife, Phyllis, and his son David preceded him in death. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Barbara Roberts, his son Doug Roberts, and his wife Shannon Roberts of Huntsville, Alabama, with their children Catherine Barrett of Huntsville, her husband Phillip Barrett, daughters Natalie and Abby, and sons William and Hayes. Joshua Roberts of Houston, Texas, his wife Mary Katherine Roberts, their daughter Mary Margaret and son James. Jonathan Roberts of Birmingham, Alabama, his wife Megan, their son Luke, and their daughter Leighton. Emily Roberts of Denver, Colorado. Daughter-in-law Deborah Roberts of Newnan, Georgia. Her son Timothy Roberts, his wife Erica, and son Brandon live in Palmetto, GA, and Brian Roberts of Newnan.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 1 p.m. Thursday September 8 at Welch Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. Pastor Mark Gaw will officiate.

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com