Robert S. "Skipper" Perry, Jr.

AIKEN, SC - Robert Spence (Skipper) Perry, Jr. of Aiken died peacefully Father’s Day, surrounded by his beloved wife and family. A lifelong resident of Aiken, Skipper was the son of the late Robert Spence Perry, Sr. and May Seigler Perry. He is survived by his wife, Anne Straus. In addition, Skipper is survived by his two sons, Stanley (Meg) of Charlotte, NC and Richard (Kristin) of Washington, DC. He leaves four grandchildren; Spence, Anne Healey, Liza May and Burke. He is also survived by his brother, William Perry (Rosaline) of Naples FL, Mary Ann Gunneson (Dave) of Chattanooga, TN, Susan McCarty of Aiken, Jeannie (Earle) Robinson (Earle) of Augusta, GA, Addison deAurora (Eric) of Savannah, GA, and the late Otto McCarty, brother-in-law. Skipper’s life was remarkable for its deep devotion to family--enjoying contact with a brother or sister every day. His family was the warm embrace that sustained him every day of his life. He repaid that gift by devoting himself to the public good—whether in elected office or in the service of those who were unable to help themselves. He ministered to the sickest among us. He offered support for the mentally and emotionally disabled. What you know of his public deeds pales by what he did for countless individuals privately and unnoticed. He redefined the role of grandfather as an active participant in their lives, interested in even the smallest details of their routine Skipper was honored recently as the Aiken Chamber “Man of the Year”. He has also served in the South Carolina State Legislature, Mayor Pro Tempore City of Aiken, City Council of Aiken, President Aiken Center for the Arts, President Mended Hearts of Aiken, Founding member and Chairman of the Tri-Development Center, Chairman of the Adult Development Center, Founding member of the Historic Aiken Foundation, President of the United Way of Aiken, President Aiken Symphony Guild, , Chairman of the Heart Walk, President of Pinecrest Elementary PTA, Chairman of Palmetto Amateur Golf Tournament, Sertoman of the Year, Order of the Palmetto, President Aiken Jaycees, President of the Aiken Sertoma Club, American Legion Post 26, and Announcer Aiken Polo Club. Skipper was larger than life. He milked every ounce of living from life until the moment of death. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, June 20 2017 at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC. Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Aiken First Baptist Church with The Rev. Dr. Fred Andrea, III officiating. Interment will be held immediately following at Historic Bethany Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Aiken Sertoma Club, American Legion Post 26, and the Mended Hearts of Aiken. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801, Mended Hearts of Aiken, PO Box 976, Aiken SC 29802 and the American Legion Post No. 26 (Boy’s State Program), P.O. Box 977, Aiken, SC 29802. Skipper's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert S. "Skipper" Perry, Jr., please visit our flower store.