David Perry

Cecil David Perry, of Palestine, Texas, best known as David, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, the 21st day of March 2026, at the age of 83.  David was born on the 6th day of September 1942 to parents Clarence Abner Perry and Ziffie Ola Williams Perry.

David was born and raised in Palestine, Texas and for over 30 years, he was a pillar of the masonry trade, spending 23 years as a brick mason and another 10 as a proud union bricklayer.  His passion for the craft eventually led him to the classroom, where he spent 25 years teaching brick masonry at the Windham School in Tennessee Colony, Texas. David wasn’t just a teacher by profession; he was a teacher by nature.

Outside of work, David’s heart belonged to the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who found peace in the woods and on the water. Whether it was his children, his grandchildren, or a curious friend, he found immense joy in passing down his outdoor skills to anyone eager to learn. In his earlier years while raising his family, David’s competitive spirit and love shone through coaching his children’s baseball and softball teams, a journey that culminated in leading his daughter’s team to two state softball championships.

David also had a green thumb and a generous spirit. Every year, he poured his time into a garden, not for himself, but for the pleasure of giving away the harvest to friends and family. He will be remembered for his strong hands, his patient guidance, and the simple kindness of a fresh vegetable from his garden.

David is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Ziffie Perry; wife, Joanne Pounds Perry; son, Cliff David Perry; sister, Joan Huffman; and his three brothers, Charles, Tony and Larry Perry.

He leaves behind his family including his daughters, Teresia Coker and husband Jimmy, and Deborah Estes and husband John, all of Elkhart, Texas; sister, Mary Beth Godwin of Houston, Texas; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; along with many other family members and a multitude of friends.

A service to celebrate David's life is to be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, the 18th day of April 2026 at Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Jimmy Coker officiating the service.  Immediately following the service, all are invited to visit and share memories of David with the family at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed towards Pleasant Hills Children's Home, P.O. Box 1177, Fairfield, Texas 75840 or Hope Station, 919 S. Magnolia St., Palestine, Texas 75801.

Memorial and cremation services for Cecil David Perry are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit his online memorial tribute by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

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