C.E. Peery, Jr.

Clarence Eugene “Gene” Peery, Jr, M.D. was a three-year letterwinner on the Emory & Henry track & field team who served as a captain his senior year. He was a middle-distance star – a standout in both the 440-yard dash and the 880 yard-dash. In the 1940 season, he was the team’s leading scorer, earning a total 97 points for the Wasps. Peery was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 in honor of his athletic achievements.

Often led by Peery, the track & field team put together an outstanding 21-3 record from 1938-40. Peery himself was undefeated in the 440-yard dash, collecting 23 straight victories during his collegiate career, even against large-school opponents such as University of Tennessee, Wake Forest, Appalachian State, Milligan, and East Tennessee State University. He also accumulated 20 wins in the 880-yard dash over the course of his career.

At the time of his graduation in 1940, Peery held school records in the 440-yard dash (51.85 s) and 880-yard dash (2 m 8/10 s).

Peery went on to earn a medical degree from Duke University in 1944. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he moved to McMinnville, Tennessee to establish a family medicine practice. In 1970, he closed that office and moved to Nashville, where he interned and later opened his own practice in internal medicine. Peery retired from the medical profession in 1990.

Clarence Eugene Peery, Jr. passed away on April 28, 2007 at age 89.