James Randolph Perry

WEST LIBERTY- James Randolph Perry died Thu, Dec. 28, 2006 at Morgan County Appalachian Regional Hospital after a long illness. He was born in West Liberty, KY, on Oct. 4, 1934 to the late James Morton and Dorothy Stacy Perry. He graduated from Morgan County High School in 1952 where he lettered in basketball and football. He played basketball at Eastern Kentucky University and graduated from Morehead State University. He also attended the University of Louisville School of Law. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Mr. Perry began his banking career in Louisville in 1963, working at both Bank of Louisville and Louisville Trust. After the death of his grandfather, C.K. Stacy, in 1969, Mr. Perry returned home to West Liberty to become President of his family owned Commercial Bank, which will celebrate its 100th year anniversary in 2010. Mr. Perry served as President for thirty-four years, as well as Chairman of the Board for more than twenty-five years. He continued to serve as Chairman of the Board and was active in the Kentucky Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association and was selected Banker of the Year in 1972. Beginning in the 1970's, Mr. Perry became involved in the coal business, as a partner in Collins and May Mining Company. Mr. Perry was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church where he was a member of the administrative board and chairman of the finance committee for many years. He was a board member of the Morgan County Appalachian Regional Hospital, the Gateway Area Development Board and founding Chairman of the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. He was a board member of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, and active in the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Perry served several terms on the University of Kentucky Development Council and was also a University of Kentucky fellow. In 2006, Mr. Perry was named Citizen of the Year by the West Liberty Kiwanis Club in appreciation for his service to Morgan County. He is survived by his wife of fifty-years, Barbara Patterson Perry, a daughter Sara Jim Blair and son-in-law, Proctor W. Blair, of Lexington and granddaughters, Amanda Marie Blair and Stacy Callihan Blair, Lexington, one sister, Pam Rose, nephew, David Osborne and great-nephew, Jason Osborne, all of West Liberty. Funeral services will be held Tue, Jan. 2, 2007 at 1 pm at MSU Center, 155 University Drive, West Liberty, KY, with the Reverend Kenneth Jett officiating. Burial will follow the service at the West Liberty Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum. Visitation will take place at the West Liberty United Methodist Church on Mon from 5-8 pm. Memorials suggested to the West Liberty United Methodist Church, 237 Prestonsburg Street, West Liberty, KY 41472 or the Respiratory Department or Physical Therapy Department at Morgan County Appalachian Regional Hospital, P.O. Box 579, West Liberty, KY 41472. Potter Funeral Home Inc. in charge of arrangements. www.potterfuneralinc.com