Daniel Lee Perry

Daniel Lee Perry (Dan) passed away peacefully at the stroke of midnight on January 4th, 2020. He was surrounded by the people he loved most in this world in his final minutes. Dan grew up in Sanford, NC where he graduated from Sanford Central High in 1970. After leaving Sanford, Dan attended Appalachian State University, where his fondness for the outdoors blossomed into a life-long passion for exploration and adventure. In the early 1970s, Dan started rock climbing and very soon became one of a small handful of bold pioneers, helping push the sport to new levels. Some of Dan's many routes are considered among the finest anywhere in North Carolina. Dan also became a very accomplished chef, and worked in a number of restaurants in the high country of NC. If asked, he would likely have said that his finest work in this field was done at Glendale Springs, where he was the head chef in the 1980s. Later in life, he became a real estate agent and property appraiser, which he did from the late 1990s right up to the week of his passing. Of all his many accomplishments, being an amazing father was what he was most proud of. Dan is survived by his two sons Dr. Jacob Perry and Jacob's partner Hannah Walker, and Daniel Perry and Daniel's wife Antigone Perry; and their daughter Sophia (the apple of Dan's eye). He is also survived by his first cousin Bobby Faulk, a man he considered his brother; and by two very special women in his life, Lisa Stevens and Cindy Phillips; as well as scores of friends, climbing partners, and collaborators whose journeys were all profoundly impacted by his presence in their lives. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Dan's life at Camp Broadstone on February 1, 2020 from 1 to 4. For more information please email Daniel Perry at dgp2051@gmail.com or Lisa Stevens at folksinger1959@gmail.com, or feel free to reach out to either of them through Facebook messenger. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carolina Climbers Coalition.