JOHN A. SIRMON

PERRY – John Arthur Sirmon, 93, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Perry United Methodist Church, with the Visitation beginning at 12 Noon, and the Funeral starting at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Tommy Perkins and Reverend Tom Carruth officiating. Interment will be in Perry Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Perry United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1002 Carroll Street, Perry, GA 31069. John Arthur was born on May 19, 1930, in Franklin, Alabama, to the late Willie and Inez McKinley Sirmon. He attended Franklin High School and graduated from Monroe County High School in Monroeville, Alabama. He lettered in both football and baseball. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force in the 526th Fighter Bomber Squadron as an Aircraft Mechanic during the Korean War. When he returned from the military, John worked with Civil Service as an Aircraft Mechanic at Brookley Air Force Base. It was there that he met Joyce Merle Norwood and the couple married in 1955. Once the base closed in 1966, they were both transferred to Robins Air Force Base and moved to Perry, Georgia. John worked a total of thirty-five years with Civil Service, having retired June 3, 1986. Through the years, John enjoyed being outside, playing golf, watching birds, and “tinkering” in his shop where he kept his many old tools and earned a Master’s Degree in Duct Tape while fixing and re-fixing anything and everything that needed repair. He raised and cross-bred amaryllis, from solid white to solid red and every color in between. John took great pride in his gardening skills, and it gave him tremendous joy when gifting them to others. A man with a caring and giving heart, John volunteered and spent many retirement years maintaining the grounds and upkeep of the buildings at Perry United Methodist Church where he was a member for over fifty-five years. He was also a long-time member of the IHS Sunday School Class and dearly loved his classmates. Sadly, Joyce passed away in 2003, and by the grace of God, John found love a second time when he met Rene Fendley, also a widow. They married in 2005 and spent eighteen wonderful years together. Quality time was spent going to church, working in the yard, watching the Atlanta Braves, and being with family. John was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of forty-eight years, Joyce Merle Norwood Sirmon; his son, Gary Sirmon; and his brother, Charlie Sirmon. Left to cherish the memories they made with John are his loving and devoted wife of eighteen years, Rene Fendley Sirmon of Perry; his children, Bill Sirmon (Sallie) of Lizella, Stan Fendley (Debbie) of Perry; Lane Perdue (Dennis) of Marietta, and Mark Fendley (Alice) of Moore, SC; twelve grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as “Pop” or “Papa;” twenty great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his brothers, Jeff Sirmon (Shirley Jean) and Ray Sirmon; his sister, Christine Felts (James); and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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JOHN A. SIRMON

May 19, 1930 - July 1, 2023