Charles Bartlett Perry Jr.

Charles Bartlett Perry, Jr., known to his close friends and family as “Bucky,” passed away
on April 28, 2023, in Staunton, VA after a lengthy illness. He was 80 years old. He was preceded
in death by his father, Charles B. Perry, Sr. and his mother, Edith T. Perry. His brother and best
friend, Alan L. Perry passed away on June 9, 2023.
Bucky had a larger-than-life personality and was loved by many. He was born on June
24, 1942, in Washington, DC. He was educated in the DC Public School system, attending Neval
Thomas Elementary School, Taft Junior High School and graduating from McKinley Technical
High School in 1961.
After graduation from high school, Bucky served his country as a member of the US Army
National Guard. He then entered the working world, following in his father’s footsteps and
becoming a linotype operator at the US Government Printing Office (GPO) in Washington, DC in
1963. He caught the travel bug in 1984 and relocated to GPO’s field office in Los Angeles, CA. He
left Federal service in 1989 and moved to Phoenix, AZ where he worked in the private sector. He
later returned to GPO as a printing specialist and moved to Columbus, OH. He subsequently
retired from GPO and moved back to the DMV. Not content to stay retired, he became a sales
associate at Lowe’s, which was a perfect fit for his outgoing personality. He made one final
move to Staunton, VA in 2018 after meeting Cristina Riojas, whom he referred to as the “love of
his life.”
Bucky had a passion for music and joined a singing group called the Acoustics in the
early seventies. They recorded a song, “Living in Hard Times,” which was played on the local
R&B radio station, WOL. He always had the best sound systems in his cars, and in his later years, he
became a DJ, known as “Heatwave,” with a collection of music that spanned decades. He often
teamed up with his BFF/brother Alan and booked many parties, reunions, and celebrations,
bringing high energy and enthusiasm to each event. Like all the Perry siblings, he was an avid
Washington sports fan and specifically, a very vocal Washington Commanders’ fan.
In addition to his loving partner Cristina, he is survived by his daughter Kindra N. Perry
and granddaughter Waverly Perry; his sisters, Barbara Perry Lewis, Carolyn J. Perry and Joan
Perry Johnson; his brother-in-law Gary S. Johnson; his sister-in-law Arlene T. Perry; his nephews,
Derek R. Lewis (Sherene) and Damon R. Lewis (Crystala); his nieces, Kyla J. Rittenhouse (Rich)
and Kaci N. Johnson; great nieces Jordan A. Lewis and Brooklyn R. Rittenhouse; great nephews,
Devon R. Lewis II, Kellan R. Lewis and Drake R. Lewis; and a host of family and friends. His
nephew, Devon (Butch) R. Lewis, preceded him in death.
Bucky will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. His infectious personality, love of
music, and passion for life will be missed.