Perry Mcdonald

PERRY MCDONALD Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Perry McDonald will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at the Cortez Elks Lodge. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Perry passed away from injuries sustained in an auto accident that occurred on 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 5th 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, Terry 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.