Donald Bruce Perryman's Obituary
DONALD BRUCE PERRYMAN (88) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma died 18 May 2017, peacefully. He is survived by his beloved wife Nancy K. (Katy) Perryman; his children Lisa Culpepper; Marc Perryman (Roxani) and Eric Perryman (Tamie); dear grandfather to Jeffrey, Melissa, Matt (Noelle) Webb, Kathleen (Leo) Davis, Carmen (Chris) Duvall, Brandon (Jake) Culpepper-Perdue. Great grandfather to Garrett, Harper, Gabrielle, Sydney, Nicholas, Cole and Gianna. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lewis and Eleanor, and his brothers Edward and James. Donald attended Oklahoma (A&M) from May 1946 to June 1948 until he entered the Aviation Midshipmen Program; upon completion Donald was commissioned in the U.S. Navy as an Ensign. Donald served for over 21 years as a Naval Aviator and he retired as a Lieutenant Commander. He had many interesting assignments and stories. His career took him around the world with assignments in Guam, Cuba, Italy and Greece. His stateside assignments and training took him to Florida, Texas, Alabama, California and Maryland. Upon his retirement from the Navy, Donald served as a Veterans Representative with the State of Oklahoma Employment Commission until his retirement in 1987. Donald was especially proud of his Muskogee (Creek) Indian heritage. His great great grandfather, Benjamin Perryman (Stechtchakomeco) and his Great Grandfather, Lewis Perryman (Kochukua Micco) moved to the Broken Arrow/Tulsa area in 1828 from Alabama. Their settlement called Tallassee in honor of their home in Alabama later became known as “Tulsey Town” and now as Tulsa. Lewis opened a Trading Post in 1848 that later became the first Post Office in the Tulsa area. Donald’s grandfather Thomas Perryman was a well-known minister in Broken Arrow and is known for his New Testament translations of Genesis and The Book of Psalms into the Creek language. Donald, like his grandfather Thomas, was known for his kindness and was one of the best men you could ever know. His word was his bond and he never spoke evil of any one. Quiet and unassuming, Donald was an excellent role model for his children and grandchildren through his actions and will be deeply missed. Burial will be at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery; services are private. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Navy.
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