By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A little more than a year ago, Fletcher Perry’s wife of 66 years died.
On Friday, Fletcher, 90, made a $100 contribution to this year’s Christmas Happiness Fund in honor of his beloved Imogene.
The two Allegheny County natives traveled the world while Fletcher served in World War II. They settled in Rowan County in 1981.
The two had been making donations for the past several years. He also donated money in 2008 in honor of Imogene.
His wife was mostly a homemaker. But she worked some, he said.
She was employed with Fort Knox in Kentucky as a purchasing agent for several years.
A lot of her time was spent volunteering with the American Red Cross.
The two traveled quite often after Fletcher retired from the military. They’d been to Yellowstone National Park and New England.
When Fletcher served overseas, his wife moved to Rowan County with her parents.
He was a company mess sergeant, supervising all cooking for his combat unit.
He served during WWII for four years. He later re-enlisted and was sent to Japan.
This time, Imogene and his two boys accompanied Fletcher. The family stayed in Japan for three years.
They returned to the United States where they lived for five years. Fletcher picked up and moved to Okinawa, Japan, for 30 months.
He then moved to Fort Devens, Mass., an Army training camp, for two and a half years.
Then it was back to Japan. The family spent almost nine years between Okinawa and other parts of Japan.
Fletcher retired from the military from Fort Knox in Kentucky, where the family had been for 14 years.
Then it was back to Rowan County in 1981 and they never left.
“I guess we had a normal military life,” he said of their travels.
“We just donated to help the children,” he said.
Christmas Happiness contributions can be brought to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to The Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639 Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.
Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.
Yesterday’s total: $13,789
Andrew Jackson Lodge #576 $250
In honor of Bessie Mickle and Ruth Kernodle by Wednesday afternoon Bible Club $100
In memory of our pet Simba by John and Betty McHone $5
In memory of Thomas and Lindy Hill Morgan, and Coy and Ethel Cranford by John and Betty McHone $20
In memory of esther Morgan Fine and Buddy L. Catoe by John and Betty McHone $20
In lieu of Christmas cards to the congregation of Woodleaf Baptist Church by Charlie and Libby Williams $50
In honor of Cathy Stallings by Mary Beth Hall LCW Christiana Lutheran $65
In memory of my parents Arthur and Edna Casper Pinkston by Dorothy P. Roddick $50
In honor of Howard and Doris P. Groff by Jimmy and Dorothy P. Roddick $50
Eagle Heights Meet N’ Eat Group $45
Southside Homemakers Club …….$50
Richard R. Kluttz Insurance Agency $300
In memory of J-Lo, Maddie, Augi, and Snoopy by Paw-Paw $25
In loving memory of Billy by Mom and Dad $100
In appreciation of our wonderful leader Katherine Lyerly by Group One WELCA Christiana Lutheran Church $100
In honor of Ronnie, Bobby, rick, Sherry, and Boots by Grandma …$25
In honor of all the fine folks at The Salisbury Post, oh, and Paris Goodnight too by Steve Huffman $25
In honor of Meg Snave for all you do for your family and community by Steve $25
In memory of Bob and Doug Pugh by Marie and Elle $35
In memory of Lawson and Mary McCombs of Faith by Steve McCombs $100
In memory of Margie and Worth Bassinger by Cindy and Terry Jones $25
In loving memory of Carolyn and Paul Jones by Cindy and Terry Jones $25
Saints and Sinners Class-Organ Lutheran Church $100
Charles Leslie $20
In memory of Ida Mae and Whitney Kluttz by Norman and Sarah Holshouser $100
In memory of Margarat Allison, in honor of LeeAnn and Jim Christy by John Allison $100
In memory of Hubert L. Fesperman by Margaret H. Fesperman $25
In memory of Ruth Yarbrough by Phyllis and Jake Trexler $25
Anonymous $35
In memory of Clifford Ray by Jean Ray $50
In memory of my parents Willert and Pearl Kluttz Lyerly by Jean Ray $50
In honor of my brother Wilbert and Carolyn Lyerly and family by Jean Ray $50
In honor of Mollie Huffman granddaughter and Ransom Damme great grandson by Pat Roseman $50
In memory of my mother-Wilma Stirewalt and my sister Nancy Stirewalt by Bonnie Kramer …..$200
In honor of Betty Grubb-teacher by Aura Moose Sunday School Class-Salem Lutheran $25Today’s total: $2,420
Grand total: $16,209