Perry Leon Sparrow

I remember the first time I met Perry. He was coming to live with us on Cleveland Ave...young kid, trouble at home, big brother, and the rest of us...brothers. Those were remarkable times. Perry was in the middle of it all, eyes wide open...sheepish at first, then tentative, resourceful, for sure a quick study...and could he write! I recall picking up a notebook, abandoned on the kitchen table, that contained his writing. It was his sci-fi work. I was knocked over by his grasp of content,...

Some of us knew him as (The)Winkle; brother,John and I,always. He smiled and laughed a lot, (a realy fine Sparrow trait). The ladies loved him. We met when he was just a wee Winkle (in Charlotte)and kept up until the mid '80s.He came from Charlotte to Athens to just hang with us and do the Athens scene. I loved him and will dearly miss him. I'll cherish the tapes.... (Perry was always doing something for somebody, it seems.:)See ya in Heaven,Winkle!

He was my baby brother but he often served as my grounding point. Any time I couldn't get my mind around an idea or situation, I could run it by Perry and he would listen, make a few remarks and then I would "see the light". I loved the fact that I could hear a song on the radio and call Perry with a short lyric from the song and he could tell me the name of the song, the writer, the performer(s) and the rest of the lyrics.

Perry's face comes to me often and I remind myself of the...

From the time we used to play horse on the living room floor, he was a great bro' who still knew how to write a letter, quote a song line, give a gift, and hug you tight. Thanks to all who remember him and cross this space. He struggled with a lot of troubles, and he found his spot of peace and joy. He loved every darn one of you, as I'm sure he told you.

Perry was as loyal, honest and generous a friend as a person could have. I always admired his love for the common man and strong sense of justice. While even the most casual acquaintance knew his passions included a desire share the joy of music and a better appreciation of the ironic, it is possible there were some who never saw the way he could make a child laugh, or his many beautiful drawings. Of one thing, everyone who knew Perry was sure...his strong love and devotion for his family,...

Perry was a walking Ed Sullivan Show. With him there was always variety and quality and you always looked forward to tuning in to see what was next.
With Mom and Reverend Ray and those crazy Sparrow kids, the 'ol Perrito had a great supporing cast.
Perry will always be a shining star.