Perry Lee Kuykendall

Perry Lee Kuykendall, 94, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

An Asheville native, Perry was a son of the late Clifford and Naomi “Oma” Kirby Kuykendall. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence, Carroll, and Bobby Kuykendall.

Mr. Kuykendall proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was one of 200 in the 1st Marine Division who escaped the Chosin Reservoir in Korea.

Following his service, he worked for 40 plus years at Caldwell Well Drilling as their pump installer. He also served as a Deacon at Westwood Baptist Church for 60 years.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rose M. Kuykendall; nephews, Clarence Osborne “Ozzie” Kuykendall (Rita), and their sons, Max and Jacob, Ray Kuykendall, and Darrick Coomer; nieces, Patty Kuykendall, Debbie Allen, Carla Caldwell, Cindi Brackins and her husband Jeff, who was a special nephew to Perry, and Cathy Coomer (Garry); nieces, Chelsea and Cayci Brackins; nephews, Austin and Dalton Marler; sister-in-law, Beverly Caldwell; brother-in-law, Reuben Caldwell; and special sister-in-law, Judy Kuykendall.

His family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Richard Baird. A livestream of the service will be available on this page at service time. Burial, with Marine Corps honors, will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain.