Perry Lopez 
December 12, 1953 - January 5, 2022 
Columbus, Georgia 

Perry Lopez, age 68, of Columbus, GA passed away on January 5, 2022 at his residence. 
A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Friday, February 18, 2022 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1130 First Avenue, Columbus, Georgia with Reverend Timothy Graham officiating. A private interment will be held at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, Alabama at a later date according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. 
Perry was born on December 12, 1953 in New York City, New York, the son of SGM, USA (Ret) Antonio Lopez Aponte and Carmen Julia Rodriguez Lopez, both now deceased. Perry was an Army "brat" but was able to complete his four years of high school in Columbus, attending Baker High School for three years and graduating from Carver High in 1972. He attended the University of Georgia and later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Columbus College, (now Columbus State University) Columbus, Georgia in August 1989. After leaving the University of Georgia, Perry served four years of active duty in the United States Navy and was a member of the United States Naval Reserves until his retirement in December 2003, having achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was extremely proud that he was "tested, selected, and initiated "as a Navy Chief and always carried his Chief's medallion with him. Perry was employed by the Muscogee County School District for thirty years, retiring as a systems programmer in July 2010. 
Perry learned to play rugby while a student at the University of Georgia creating a lifetime loves of the game. In 2017 he attended Georgia's 50th reunion of former rugby players. He was a founding member of the Columbus-Ft Benning Rugby Club in 1984 and was an active member and president of the organization at the time of his death. 
Perry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Deborah Rigsby Lopez of Columbus, GA, son Brian C. Lopez of Midland, GA, brother, Antonio Lopez of Murfreesboro, TN, sisters, Naomi L. McDonough of Tucson, AZ, Carmen Kile of Crown Point, IN, and Catherine Lopez of Nashville, TN, sister-in law Angela Rigsby Martinez, Atlanta, GA, nieces Julia Kile of Orlando, FL and Anne Martinez, Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by cousins who live in Puerto Rico and a host of friends.