Obituary of Ernest Alonzo Perry

Ernie is survived by his wife, Barbara Edwards Perry, his three children, Meghan Perry Shaw, Evan (Brandi) Perry and Ian (Rachael) Perry. He is also survived by his mother, Vivian Evans Perry, his sister Vickey (Steve) Goad and his granddaughter, Kayleigh Shaw. Ernie was a kind, loving, complex and compassionate man who never met a stranger.  He made friends easily and cherished those friendships through the years. Ernie worked in law enforcement for over 30 years, serving his communities as a patrolman, detective, drug enforcement agent and community policing officer.  He began his career as a patrolman for the city of Ansted, WV, after his high school graduation. He then joined the US Army where he proudly served his country for 11 years in the USA, Thailand and Panama as a Military Police Officer and CID Agent reaching the rank of Specialist E-6 Staff Sergeant.  He worked for the Charleston Police Department in West Virginia and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. During his days in law enforcement, Ernie cared deeply for his communities and worked hard to improve their safety. He loved contributing his time and creativity to the many festivals and events in the communities in which he lived and served. After retiring from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department due to a heart condition, Ernie moved back to West Virginia, where he served as Police Commissioner of the Town of Ansted and was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.  He then moved to Matthews, NC, to be closer to his mother and sister. Due to failing health, Ernie moved back to Brevard County to be in a warmer climate. After living by his beloved Atlantic Ocean in Satellite Beach for five years, his health continued to fail and he lost his battle with cancer brought on by exposure to Agent Orange on December 17th. There will be a memorial and celebration of Ernie’s life in Brevard County at a later announced time.  There will be a second service in the Spring for Ernie in his hometown of Ansted, WV.