It's really hard to write about my Dad and this last week--I'm having an even harder time talking/calling people who are closest to me, and telling them everything--sorry! I will eventually be able to do it.
My Dad's obit:
Perry McDonald
Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Perry McDonald will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the Cortez Elks Lodge. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery.
Visitation has been scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Perry passed away from injuries sustained in an auto accident that occurred March 22, 2011. After fighting to survive, he peacefully slipped away on March 24, with a smile on his face, and his loved ones by his side.
Perry was born to Dollie and Floyd McDonald, on May 5, 1929, in Grady County, Okla. Triplets, Perry, Jerry and Derry were a great surprise to his parents and 10 year old sister. He spent his childhood in Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, Perry married Bonnie Nevius in June 1948. They had two children, Terri and Steve.
Perry began his career operating heavy equipment for Simms Construction. He became a supervisor for the company in his early twenties, and was transferred to Farmington, N.M. He moved to Cortez in 1958, and loved Colorado. When the company wanted to transfer him back to Oklahoma, he decided to start his own oil field construction company in the Four Corners area.
In 1981 he sold Perry McDonald Construction, and retired. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. Perry owned a winter home in Arizona and later spent winters in California. While traveling around the United States in his fifth-wheel travel trailer, Alaska was one of his favorite places to visit. At one time, Perry owned several collector cars, and he especially liked to restore 1940 Ford coupes. Perry was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Elks lodge, as well as a Shriner. Perry also served on the board of directors at First National Bank.
Perry will be greatly missed by his friends and family. He leaves behind his triplet brother, Jerry of Texas; his sister, Harriet Neill of Oklahoma; his daughter, Terri Higgins and husband Myrle of Arizona; his son, Steve and wife Judi of Cortez; eight grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Preceding Perry in death were his parents; his brother, Glen; and his triplet brother, Derry.
Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.
