A. MICHAEL PERRY

1936 - 2015

A. MICHAEL PERRY, 78, of Huntington, W.Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25, 2015. He was born in Huntington on May 31, 1936, the son of the late Austin L. Perry and Virginia Faye Cole Perry. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Henriella Mylar Perry; three blessed children, Michele Blake (Scott), Melanie Hall (Mark) and Audy Perry Jr. (Laura); eight wonderful grandchildren, Rachel Roberts (Kyle), Stephen Blake, Meredith Hall, Rebekah Perry, Ginny Blake, Mitchell Hall, Beth Perry, and Hannah Blake; a talented brother, Rory Perry; and many other beautiful family and friends who dearly loved him. A. Michael "Mike" graduated from Huntington High School in 1954, Marshall University in 1958, and West Virginia University School of Law in 1961, finishing first in his law class. Throughout his professional career, he had the privilege of working with many great people. Among these were his clients and partners at the law firm of Huddleston Bolen Beatty Porter & Copen for the 20 years after law school and then for the next 20 years with the employees, directors and customers in banking as Chairman and CEO of Key Centurion Bancshares, West Virginia's first billion dollar (2nd and 3rd billion as well) banking organization, which grew into Bank One, West Virginia and is now JP Morgan Chase Bank. During his professional career Mike served on numerous local, state and national boards including Arch Coal, Champion Industries, and Darco International; Interim President at Marshall University; Chairman of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Advantage Valley, Huntington Rotary, the West Virginia Bankers Association, St. Mary's Medical Center, Huntington Area Development Council, Marshall University Board of Governors and the University System of West Virginia Board of Trustees. His leadership and commitment earned him such honors as being named "Banker of the Decade" by the West Virginia Bankers Association, twice named "Citizen of the Year" by The Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Distinguished West Virginian of the Year, and was a member of the inaugural class of the West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellows. Mike was also a charter member of the Business Hall of Fame for both Marshall University and West Virginia University. During his "retirement" years, Mike and Henriella co-founded the Heritage Farm Museum and Village near their home in Wayne County, which now has over 30 reconstructed log and other buildings dedicated to West Virginia's Appalachian Ancestors and educating others about their ingenious and creative way of life. The Farm is now visited by thousands of school children and visitors each year to Experience the Past, Appreciate Today, and Dream for the Future and will soon be recognized as West Virginia's first Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. For their efforts at the Farm, Mike and Henriella have been awarded the Myers Humanitarian Award by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Virginia Division of Tourism, and the Medal for Historic Preservation by the National Daughters of the American Revolution. Throughout all these years Mike has been an active member of the Beverly Hills Baptist Church, now known as the New Baptist Church, serving on most every committee, singing in the choir, and teaching his beloved Berean Sunday School class for over 34 years. Mike would be the first to tell you that all the joys, successes, triumphs, and victories he has been blessed to experience in this life are all owing to his Lord, Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ. Deep appreciation is extended to Dr. Silbermins, Dr. Bir, Dr. Kimmey, Dr. Morgan and all the compassionate, dedicated and excellent medical staff at Huntington Internal Medicine Group, St. Mary's Medical Center and Hospice of Huntington. There is no better care anywhere. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at New Baptist Church by Pastor Trent Eastman. Burial will take place beside the Old Log Church at Heritage Farm. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m at New Baptist Church on Friday, February 27. Those wishing to honor a life well lived are encouraged to make a donation to The Heritage Farm Foundation, Marshall University, New Baptist Church, Hospice of Huntington or any other charity that inspires people to dream big dreams, become all they were created to be, and care for their fellow man. Reger Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfuneralhome.com.