Apopka lost another icon Thursday. John Peery, the editor of The Apopka Chief for 40 years, has died at 67.
The Chief released the following obituary on Thursday:
Long-time editor of The Apopka Chief, John R. Peery, died in his sleep Thursday, October 12.
Peery grew up in Apopka, and later rose to editor of The Apopka Chief, having capped off his 40-year career at The Chief two years ago. He was 67.
John was a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church, an avid Tennessee Volunteer fan, and an icon around Apopka. He touched every area of Apopka life, through his involvement and excellence in news coverage for the newspaper.
Peery was born in Halls, Tennessee, on May 28, 1956, and soon moved to Apopka when he was five years old. His dad, James C. Peery was the principal at Lovell Elementary school in Apopka, and his mother, Mary Ann Peery was in education as well.
John, and his wife Grace Peery, were faithful fixtures at most all Apopka High sporting events. He was a 1974 graduate of Apopka Memorial High School, and 1978 graduate of University of Central Florida.
The Apopka Chief editor won dozens of journalistic, sports, and photography awards through the Florida Press Association, and directed the news operations of The Apopka Chief for decades.
John was preceded in death by his dad and mom, James C. and Mary Ann Peery. He left behind his loving wife Grace Peery, daughter Kristin Peery Martin (Austin), stepson Adam Shaw (Angela), and brothers Mike (Judy) Peery, and Robert (Heather) Peery; and grandchildren Jacob, Parker and Emma Shaw, Bailey and Peyton Martin.
Funeral services will be conducted by Loomis Funeral Home in Apopka."
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I worked alongside John at many events, including Apopka City Council meetings. The media table at City Hall is a place he worked for decades before I sat beside him in 2015. And although we were covering the same event for different publications, he always treated me as a friend and a colleague. We discussed every topic under the sun including local issues, politics, news, and sports. But when it came to high school football, John had a knowledge that surpassed the history books. If a second string tight end for the Apopka Blue Darters scored a touchdown in 1967, John could recall the route he ran, the catch he made and the final score.
The last time I talked to John was in April when The Apopka Chief turned 100-years-old. I asked him for a quote about his beloved publication.
