Norman F. Perry

It is with great sadness that the Norman Perry family announces that he went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 14, 2026.

Norm was born December 1, 1929, in Fairfield, Florida to Bertie Mae Kinard Perry and Elvin Lafayette Perry.

Norm is survived by his wife of 41 years Betty Jean Mathews Perry, of Ocala, Florida. He is also survived by his sister Elaine Ashew of Berwick, Louisianan, his brother Dale Perry of West Palm Beach, Florida, son, Ricki Don Perry of Dallas, Texas, Stepchildren Marisa Fore and Anita Campanella of Jacksonville, Florida, Matt Durand of Mill Spring, North Carolina and Steve Durand of Miami, Florida. Grandchildren Heather Hughes of Orlando, Florida, and Great Grandchildren Justin Perry, Calib Perry, and Ethan Richardson,

Norm Perry was a third generation native of Marion County.  He was a faithful member of Woodside Baptist Church of Ocala, Florida. He was an Eagle Scout and was a lifelong active leader to the Boy Scouts of America. Norm served his country both in the Air Force as a Sergeant and later became County Commissioner of Marion County. Following his military service, he worked as a Radio Manager and Radio/TV broadcaster for thirty-seven years, having learned his trade in the school of fine arts at ‘Texas Christian University (Class of ’57). Locally he was known as a popular DJ on radio station WMOP.

Norm had a very extensive background in Miss America preliminary pageantry.  For ten years he was assistant to the producer of the Miss Louisiana state pageant and served as their official pageant vocalist. He was business manager for Miss Louisiana 1966.  He served as Emcee and Board member of the Miss Florida Thoroughbred Pageant. He had judged and emceed pageants in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida over the past 30 years, which included the Miss Miami, Miss Jacksonville and Miss Florida State University pageants. He and wife, Betty, created the Miss Ocala/Marion County Pageant in 1988, where Norm served as its Chairman of the Bord and Producer/Emcee until stepping down in 1995.  Norm also had a successful career as a country western singer and had his own band in the 1950’s and 1960’s and had two MGM Records released in the 1950’s.

Services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00 am at Woodside Baptist Church in Ocala, Florida. Internment is at 2:00 pm at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.