Perry Earle Gwinn, Jr., 102, a lifelong resident of Greenville, SC, passed away in his Greenville home on Monday, January 3, 2022. He was the husband of the late Claudia (Mickey) McCrady Gwinn. Perry (known as Peg by many of his friends) was born in Greenville County on September 17, 1919. He was the only son of the late Perry Earle Gwinn, Sr. and Jane Trotter Gwinn.
Perry attended Greenville High School, graduating in 1936. He then went to The Citadel, and after graduation from The Citadel in 1940, Perry worked at Mills Mill until he was called to active duty (US Army) on Armistice Day in 1941. In January 1942 his unit, a separate Artillery Battalion, was sent to the South Pacific. His unit was active in five places: Bora Bora, New Hebrides, New Georgia, Guadalcanal, and New Caledonia. Perry finished out the three years at a Group Headquarters in New Caledonia, and the last period of active duty was at Harbor Defenses of Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. He completed active duty in 1946 and remained in the US Army Reserves for many years, retiring as a Lt. Col.
After returning home to Greenville, Perry rejoined Mills Mill and then Southern Bleachery & Printworks. In 1949, he married Claudia (Mickey) Darlington McCrady. Perry later worked with Mickey’s father at the Edward McCrady Company to be followed by Carolina Steel Corporation before transferring to Triangle Construction Company. He retired from Triangle in 1984.
Golf was one of his favorite hobbies. He joined Greenville Country Club in 1947. Perry played many rounds with friends for many years. The highest count noted was 160 rounds at Greenville Country Club in 1990. When he was no longer able to play on the course, he and his friends played Nintendo Golf once or twice a week. Lunch and a little wager were always part of the event. Perry was also a member of the Poinsett Club and the Cotillion Club along with a longtime former member of Poinsett Investments. Perry was a long-standing member of Fourth Presbyterian Church having served as Deacon, Elder, and Treasurer for many years.
Perry is survived by his daughter, Dr. Jane Vance Gwinn (husband Dr. Guy S. Fasciana), and his son Perry McCrady Gwinn (wife Reverend Patricia Crout Gwinn), all of Greenville. He is also survived by one grandchild, Claudia Gwinn Tuttle (husband Paul Tuttle) of Piedmont. He was predeceased by his wife, Claudia (Mickey) McCrady in 1985.
There will be a private burial. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm in the sanctuary at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 703 E. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601. Following the service, family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall.
Please omit flowers. Memorials may be made to Fourth Presbyterian Church or the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.mackeycenturydrive.com.
Posted in: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Posted on: 2022-01-03
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