Cordell Emmett Perault

Cordell (Dell) Emmett Perault, age 74, of Gastonia, NC, passed away on Monday, April 6th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.

To know Dell was to know joy. He had a gift for humor that could light up any room, always ready with a perfectly timed joke or playful remark. He didn’t just tell stories, he performed them, often drawing from his years working in commercial refrigeration at Charlotte Douglas Airport and Taylor Freezer, where no ordinary day ever seemed to stay ordinary for long. His tales from the job became family favorites, retold with the same sparkle and laughter each time.

He lived by a simple motto: “Why pay someone to do something you can do yourself?” And he meant it. Whether it was fixing, building, tinkering, or figuring things out the hard way, he took pride in doing things with his own hands. That independence was part of what made him so admirable, and at times, so entertaining.

Dell loved to dance, never missing an opportunity to move to the music, often bringing others along with him whether they planned to dance or not. And when he wasn’t dancing, you could often find him at the beach, his favorite place in the world, soaking in the sun, the salt air, and the simple peace it brought him.

More than anything, he loved his family. His heart belonged especially to his girls and his grandkids, who meant everything to him. He showed his love not just in words, but in laughter, in presence, and in the countless little moments that will now be treasured forever.

He also had a legendary love for the movie Home Alone, watching it so many times he wore out a VHS tape and two DVDs. It became more than just a movie; it was a tradition, a source of comfort, and a reflection of his playful spirit.

He is survived by his wife Vickie Perault, his beloved daughters Crystal Hall (Husband Ralph) and Michelle Perault, his four grandchildren Alexander, Isabella, Avry, Burke and many extended family members and friends who will carry his memory forward with smiles and stories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry Perault and Evelyn Marguerite Shultz Perault, his siblings Imogene (Sandy) Hazel Perault Hott, Karen Dale Perault Brown, William Paul Perault, and Ross Dennis Perault.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, April 12th at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mt. Holly, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor his memory by sharing a laugh, dancing when the moment calls for it, fixing something with your own two hands, or simply spending time with the people you love most.

Dell will be deeply missed, but the laughter he gave and the love he shared will live on in all who knew him.

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