Donald Duane Perryman
Dec. 1, 1928 – Feb. 24, 2013
Written by: Pat Perryman
Another of the increasingly rare World War II veterans died Feb. 24 in Pleasant Hill, Calif., when Donald Duane Perryman succumbed, after a valiant struggle against cancerous diseases. Mr. Perryman, 84, had served in the Pacific after joining the Merchant Marines at the age of 15 when the shortage of manpower made that possible. He was among those at the invasion of Mindanao, delivering Marines and then SeaBees. He served at Ulithi, Guam, and other Pacific Islands.
Born Dec. 1, 1928, in Oakland to William F. and Gladys Perryman, he worked through the depression years as a youngster, shining shoes in Oakland’s financial district and downtown Alameda. He used some of his earnings to visit the World’s Fair on Treasure Island each day. Still just a youth, he worked at Highland Hospital, Mother’s Cookie factory, and picking prune plums in the Yountville area on a wartime youth labor project.
After the war, he continued sailing as a Merchant Marine, always working below decks as a wiper, an oiler and other engine room duties. The experience prepared him for the career he pursued for 36 years in Power Production with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, where he began as a helper at the old Oakland Station C Power Plant, and retired as Sr. Supervisor of Operations at PG&E’s General Office in San Francisco. Moving to Contra Costa in 1953, he worked at Martinez Power Plant for many years. He was liked and respected by co-workers, and aided many a rising young man in a career in power plant operations.
He was a fine father to six children, a supportive and loving husband to Patricia, his wife of 63 years, and icon to his neighbors where ever the family dwelled. The family moved from Oakland to Port Chicago, to Martinez for 45 years and then to Volcano in the Mother Lode country. There Don and his wife, Pat, built a home in the forest and were diligent caretakers for Mother Nature. Always willing to give a helping hand or a friendly word, Don was a good friend to his neighbors. He was also an eager helper at his church, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Volcano, where he served as head usher and more, including ringing the church bell heralding the 4:30 Mass each Saturday.
Don was an enthusiastic gardener, ever optimistic about his plantings, and he and his wife greatly enjoyed travel and had visited over 100 countries. Highlights were an African Safari for their 50th anniversary, and journeying to the Amazon and Antarctica on the same vessel.
In addition to his wife, Patricia (Phillips) Perryman, survivors are his five daughters: Katherine Watt of Foster City; Judith McClelland, of Oakley; Beverly Woodall of Forest Hill; Mary Jane Perryman of San Jose and Pacific Grove; and Dr. Heidi Perryman of Martinez; and one son, Donald W. Perryman of Martinez. Twelve grandchildren include Sarah Jane, Eliza, Anna and Dan Woodall; Lorna and Jill Watt; Michael and Matthew McClelland; Gabriela, Rebecca, and Patricia Taylor-Perryman; and Tomas J. Perryman of Amsterdam, Holland. He leaves a sister, Laurel Gregrich, of Las Vegas.
Funeral Mass and a celebration of Don’s very special life are pending.
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