GRANBURY, Texas — On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, Donald Davis Perry III, loving brother, husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of 76 in Granbury, Texas.
Don was born on Feb. 10, 1943 in New Bern, North Carolina, to Donald and Ruth Perry. He grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina, and received his degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1964. After graduation, Don moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to work for Pratt Whitney Aircraft. In June 1966, he married Patricia Lee Caster in Pat’s hometown of Southport, North Carolina, and they welcomed twin daughters to their family in 1968.
Don’s 35-year career in computer manufacturing began at RCA’s Computer Division in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and later took him and his family to Cary, North Carolina in 1978. In 1984, he moved his family to Plano, Texas, to work for Convex Computer Corporation, and in 1994 to Compaq Computers in Spring, Texas. After retiring in 2002, he and Pat lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for five years before moving to Granbury, Texas to be close to their daughters and grandson. Don loved living in Pecan Plantation, where he was a member of the Men’s Golf Association, serving as president for one year, and several Homeowner’s Association committees.
Don was a lifelong, passionate golfer who was always trying to improve his game. He enjoyed woodworking, boating and fishing, and spending time with his girls and grandson. Don was an avid reader and country music fan. He enjoyed watching historical documentaries or sporting events on TV and attending Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys games. Don and Pat travelled the world together, visiting Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and going on several transatlantic cruises.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Davis Jr. and Ruth Chadwick Perry of Hamlet, North Carolina; his father and mother-in-law Lee B. and Eltha Caster of Southport, North Carolina; sister-in-law Lois Caster of Southport, North Carolina; and childhood best friend Oakie Bankhead of Marietta, Georgia.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia; his daughter Catherine Perry of Arlington, Texas; his daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Mark Settlemire of Fort Worth, Texas; grandson Donald Seth Taylor of Arlington, Texas; brothers Ray Perry and wife Peggy of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Jake Perry and wife Susan of Raleigh, North Carolina; and brother-in-law Ronnie Caster of Southport, North Carolina; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends.
Please refer to the Wiley Funeral Home website at www.WileyFuneralHome.com for updates and details. Celebration of Life: 2-5 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2019, Pecan Plantation Clubhouse.
Graveside services will be held in Southport, North Carolina, on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pecan Plantation Fire and EMS or to the Hood County Library.
