Published: June 28, 2009 01:22 am      

JOHNSON: Rest in peace, Brother Perry

Perry Pope died in New Albany on Monday, June 15. Depending on who is telling the story, he either died as the result of a drug overdose or a heart attack. In either case, substance abuse had something to do with his death.

Whether he stuck a needle in his wrist on the night he died or whether he simply wore out after decades of addiction and prison time, Perry is no longer with us and his friends and family mourn his passing.

His mother asked me to do his funeral; you should also know that she gave me permission to write candidly about her son. As I was planning his service, I found a letter he had written me last October while he was still incarcerated at the prison in Henryville. Perry’s own words best describe his life. I would like to share some of what he wrote:

“Greetings. My name is Perry Pope. I met you at the Floyd County Jail at the church service in 2007. I was there for shoplifting due to my extensive criminal record. I received a three-year sentence ...

“... I got saved back in the early ’70s when I was 17 years old. They had a big Jesus movement in the late ’60s, early ’70s — I am 53 now. Anyway, I did have a real spiritual experience then, and I served the Lord for a short time.

“Shortly after my conversion, I went into the Army and I fell away from the faith. I got involved with drugs and alcohol and forgot about Christ. I tried to live a normal life until 1977, when I got my first brush with the law, due to my alcohol and drug addiction. I have been in and out of the DOC ever since.

“I try to recommit my life to Christ while I am locked up. But when I get out, I attend church for a little while and then start using again.

“I have recommitted my life again, only this time, I know that Jesus has healed me of my addictions. I want to get involved in your ministry to help other offenders. Maybe this will help me to stay in the faith.”

I picked Perry up at Henryville at one minute after midnight on his release date, and brought him to his mother’s house. When I stopped by to see him the next morning, he was mowing her lawn.

As much as I liked Perry, there wasn’t a whole lot I could do for him; he had his own way of doing things and wasn’t that interested in being part of my program. I found him some clothes, tried to help him find a job and did my best to be a friend.

He’d call me to say hello once in a while, or I’d call him to find out how he was doing. He came by our center from time to time, and we managed to grab lunch together a time or two.

As I got to know Perry, I came to realize that here was a highly intelligent man with many interests and talents and several marketable skills. He had been a union painter working on the Kennedy Bridge, a construction worker and had gotten a barber’s license at one point. He also worked in his father’s machine shop for 18 years, fixing diesel engines.

The decisions Perry made early in life sent him down a road that led to addiction, prison, strained relationships and an early death under questionable circumstances. But in spite of his criminal record and his history of substance abuse, Perry’s life was not wasted.

That was one of the things I wanted his family and friends to know. Here is another brief excerpt from his letter:

“I have a long road to go to fix my life. Thank God, Jesus is willing to give me another chance, and I know my Father in heaven will take care of my needs. Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself, and I hope to become a volunteer.”

I heard many stories about Perry’s life at the viewing. As I listened, a common theme emerged: All agreed that Perry had changed for the better since his release from prison last November. Here is the rest of his letter:

“So, my brother, keep up the good work. Pray for me, and I will pray for you all. May the glorious grace and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you. In his service, Perry Pope.”

Perry hoped to visit schools and churches someday and share his story with young people. He wanted them to know that bad decisions have bad consequences and could lead to big trouble. Perry told me that even though he felt that he had lost a lot of valuable time, he wanted his life to count.

I believe that he would have wanted his death to count, too. That’s why I’m writing about him. If only one young person reads this and gets Perry’s message that life is too valuable to throw away — that they cannot afford to experiment with alcohol or drugs — and avoids the trap waiting for every young person who believes the lie that just one time won’t hurt, then Perry’s prayer to be useful will have been answered.

Perry wrote that he was sure that Jesus had healed him of his addictions. He was right. Today Perry is whole and free. And while those who love him miss him, all hope to see him again someday.

Until then, rest in peace, Brother Perry.

Richard Johnson is executive director of Christian Formation Ministries. His organization has numerous volunteer opportunities available. For information, e-mail richard@christian-formation.org or call 812-945-0886.