Don Perry, head spokesman for Chick-fil-A, has died.
The Atlanta-based company said Perry died “suddenly” Friday morning. Perry, who most recently was vice president of public relations, had worked with the chain for nearly 29 years, according to Chick-fil-A.
“He was a well-respected and well-liked media executive in the Atlanta and University of Georgia communities, and we will all miss him,” the company said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Local news outlets reported that Perry suffered a heart attack.
A spokesman with a third-party public relations company working with Chick-fil-A said he could not confirm the heart attack reports.
[Updated: 12:55 p.m.: "Don was an incredible friend, a consummate PR professional, and was absolutely in love with Chick-fil-A," said Steve Robinson, executive vice president of marketing at Chick-fil-A, in a statement. "His passing leaves a great hole in my life as well as the lives of everyone who worked with him."]
Last week, Perry helmed the company’s official response to the controversy that erupted after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy spoke out against gay marriage.
He sent out a statement that the company’s intent going forward was “to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
Why am I reminded of “the Chicago Way”?
Subotai Bahadur
One thing Obmination taught me was how important words are.
In reading the Baptist Press interview, I did NOT find Mr. Cathy speaking “out against gay marriage” as has been reported (by multiple reporters). He was actually quoted as being “supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit.”
He nothing about or against gays or any other lifestyle.
This seems to be another AGENDA being pushed and force against Christians.
Is there such a thing as an expected heart attack?
So sad to lose anyone. My prayers are with his family and his co-workers at Chick-Fil-A. The past few weeks after the Cathy interview must have been hard. However, I agree with Mythslayer….there was no words against anyone or anything. He just spoke his opinion, did not sway to be politically correct or change his answer just because of anyone, he just spoke out about his own principals. Those are the types of people that we need.