Alan Leigh Perry

Alan Leigh Perry passed away on June 9, 2023, in Washington, DC. He was 79 years old.
He was born on March 21, 1944, in Washington, DC to the late Charles B. Perry, Sr. and Edith T.
Perry. Alan attended Neval Thomas Elementary and Taft Junior High Schools and graduated
from McKinley Technical High School in 1962.
Alan served in the US Navy and was a proud veteran. After his tour with the Navy, he
started his career in Federal service and joined the US Postal Service. It was during his time at
the Postal Service that he met his beloved wife of 37 years, Arlene (Theresa). He worked for 36
years at the Postal Service before retiring in 2001. After retirement, he worked for Enterprise
Rental Cars and drove for Uber.
Alan’s hobbies included watching sports, particularly the Washington Commanders, and
the University of Maryland’s women’s basketball team. He was also an enthusiastic fan of auto
racing and would travel to Budd’s Creek to watch races with his friend Craig Goodwin. Alan
loved cars and enjoyed working on them in his spare time. He was also an avid bowler and
enjoyed competing in an evening league with his father, sisters Barbara and Joanie and nephew
Derek. Additionally, Alan was an electronics “geek” and had a room full of “toys” that he
enjoyed tinkering with.
Out of the five Perry siblings, Alan was known as the quiet one. He was always there if
you needed a favor, like installing brakes or helping to transport a large screen TV for his sisters.
He was of the nice guys and always the calm at the end of the storm. He looked out for his
family in his own quiet way, particularly his big brother Charles, aka “Bucky.” The two of them
were BFFs, sharing a love of music and often teamed up to DJ at many events. They were polar
opposites in personality with Bucky being the high energy extrovert and Alan the low-key cool
dude. It was the perfect combination.
Alan is survived by his wife, Arlene T. Perry, daughters Natasha Franklin and Courtnee
Smith-Gray (Taras); granddaughters Ashlee Pitts (Eric), Briana Franklin, Kaelyn Anderson,
Khalyss Pearson (Terence) and Kyrah Smith; grandsons Isaiah Franklin, Victor Smith, Jr., and
Taras (“TJ”) Gray, Jr.; great granddaughters Ayrree, Nyla and Emiya; great grandsons Terence
Jr. and Karson; sisters Barbara Perry Lewis, Carolyn J. Perry and Joan Perry Johnson (Gary);
nephews Derek R. Lewis (Sherene) and Damon R. Lewis (Crystala); nieces Kyla J. Rittenhouse
(Rich), Kaci N. Johnson and Kindra N. Perry; great nephews Devon R. Lewis II, Kellan R. Lewis and
Drake R. Lewis; great nieces Jordan A. Lewis, Brooklyn R. Rittenhouse and Waverly Perry and a
host of family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his brother, Charles B. Perry,
Jr., and nephew Devon (Butch) R. Lewis. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.