Todd Perry

Published 3:43 pm Monday, April 14, 2025

Todd Perry, age 57, of Elizabethton, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was the son of Larry and Betti Fortner Perry of Elizabethton and was born on Oct. 8, 1967.

Todd was a lifelong member of Harmony Baptist Church, where he grew up surrounded by faith and community. He attended Keenburg Elementary and graduated with the Elizabethton High School Class of 1985. He went on to study at both East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee.

Todd was born with cerebral palsy, but if you knew him, you know it never held him back. He lived life with a spirit bigger than any challenge. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and one of his proudest memories was a trip to Colorado with his friends, where he bagged a massive elk — a story he never got tired of telling.

Todd was a true sports fanatic. Though he never played sports himself, he became a walking encyclopedia of sports knowledge. He coached his children’s youth teams and spent countless hours watching, talking and debating sports with his friends. Trivia nights at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s were a favorite pastime — he proudly held first place for weeks, always joking, “I can tell you anything you want to know about useless knowledge.”

Music was another one of Todd’s passions. He loved all kinds of artists, but Jimmy Buffett was his favorite. He made sure to pass that love on to his children, taking them to see Buffett as their first concert. It was just one of the many ways he created unforgettable memories with his family.

Todd was an adventurer at heart, always up for trying something new. He loved to travel, play poker with his buddies and hit the casino — where he was probably one of the luckiest guys they ever saw walk through the door. But for him, it wasn’t about the cards — it was about the camaraderie and time with his friends.

Throughout his life, Todd worked hard and took pride in providing for his family. He held positions at Fingerhut, Citizens Bank, SBA, Seaboard Foundations and River Gardens. His coworkers became like a second family, and he brought the same loyalty and love to them as he did to everyone in his life.

Todd never met a stranger. If you started a conversation with him, you better have had some time — because you weren’t getting away quickly. He was a storyteller in the truest sense, and we think he was such a good one because he lived so fully. He did it all. He made it count.

Resilient, carefree, funny, compassionate — Todd was all of that and more. But his proudest role, without question, was being a father and grandfather. Becoming “Pop Pop” was his favorite chapter yet.

He also had a deep love of food — he was a true food critic, in his own right — and found joy in every bite and every meal shared with those he loved. His love for life was contagious.

We know he’s now enjoying a cheeseburger in paradise with Jimmy himself. God sure made someone special when he made Todd. He taught all of us how to be strong, to live joyfully and to never give up — because sometimes life deals you a tough hand, but that doesn’t mean you fold.

Todd is preceded in death by his grandparents, Langford and Myrtle Fortner and Raymond and Ethel Perry.

Those left to cherish his many memories, in addition to his parents, include a daughter, Melenda Egolf (Alijah) of Elizabethton; a stepdaughter, Kasey Taylor of Elizabethton; a son, Chris Perry (fiancée Brittany Souvannakhily) of Elizabethton; five grandchildren, Natalie, Rowen, Kinzley, Sadie and Winsley; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and several special lifelong friends.

A note from the family: We can’t thank Todd’s friends enough for the love and loyalty you showed him. You never treated him like he was different — you just brought him along for the ride (or better yet, he talked you into going and driving). Thank you for always being there.

A celebration of Todd’s life will be held on Friday, April 18, at 5 p.m. at 426 River Island Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Please dress casually and wear your favorite T-shirt — Todd was a T-shirt fanatic, and he’d love that.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605, or to his grandchildren’s college funds, in accordance with Todd’s wishes, at Carter County Bank.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Perry family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.