Funeral services for H. Marion “Fuzzy” Perritt will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at First United Methodist Church of Florence with the Rev. Robert Sparkman officiating. A private graveside service will be held at the Florence City Cemetery. Elkins Funeral Home is directing. Visitation will be held in McDowell Hall at First Methodist Church of Florence between 1-3 p.m. followed by a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary. Steve Chenault and Elkins Funeral Home are assisting the family.
Mr. Perritt died Monday, May 11, 2015, at home from recent complications of an ongoing illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Otho and Laura Daughtry Perritt, and siblings, William Otho Perritt Jr., Laura Perritt Reeder, and Hampton Daughtry Perritt.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Noel Bennett Perritt; children, Marion Bennett Perritt, Mary Perritt Alderman (Wayne), Hampton Daughtry Perritt (Lisa), and Nancy Ann Perritt; eight grandchildren, Marion Blake Perritt, Charles Wayne Alderman Jr., David Marion Alderman, James William Alderman, Hampton Parma Perritt, Haley Joy Perritt, April Brown Mendez, and Sara Noel Brown; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Rose Mendez and Grayson Domingo Mendez; three sisters-in-law, Clara Perritt, Dr. Ann Bennett, and Douglass Roberson (Billy Ray); and nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.
Mr. Perritt was born in Florence, Alabama on July 28, 1928. He graduated from Coffee High School in 1946 and from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1950 with a degree in accounting. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War.
His career mainly followed agricultural pursuits. He was the founder and owner of Fuzzy’s Feeds, Inc. In later years he collaborated with his sons in several business enterprises.
Mr. Perritt served in many capacities as a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Florence. He held memberships, past and present, in many community, professional, and business associations, often serving in leadership positions: the ECM Hospital board, Salvation Army board, First National Bank (Suntrust) board, Florence Industrial Expansion Committee, Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library board, Auburn Alumni Association, Men’s Garden Club of the Shoals, Limited Fund of Florence Investment Club, and Shoals Chamber of Commerce.
The prayer chapel located on the second floor of ECM Hospital across from the critical care waiting room was funded by the Perritt family.
During his life, Mr. Perritt received numerous honors, awards, and accolades. He was elected Mr. Coffee High School in 1946. He served as president of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce in 1972. Mr. Perritt was awarded the Lauderdale County Leadership Award in 1974 by the Auburn Extension Service. Auburn University also presented him with the Outstanding Contributions to Agriculture Award. Mr. Perritt was named Shoals Citizen of the Year in 1979. The American Feed Industrial Association honored him with the Testimonial for Leadership and Distinguished Service. In more recent years, Mr. Perritt was named Plantsman of the Year (2002) and was given the Golden Deeds Award by the Florence Exchange Club (2013).
The family wishes to thank Dr. Felix Morris, Dr. Brian Cole, Dr. Robert Webb, the nurses and staff of ECM Hospital, and his special nurses for their excellent, compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.
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