My Papa

My Grandpa passed away on the 22nd of March. He was almost 82 years old. My Papa wasn't in the best of health, but he was still very independent, and liked to travel, despite his disease. For a while now he has had to deal with his muscles weakening with the myasthenia gravis, which is a neuromuscular disease. So, everytime I would say goodbye to him, after visiting him, I'd make sure to give him an extra long hug, and tell him that I loved him. I was always worried that this might be the last time I'd get to see him.

My Papa was a great man. He was a little ornery, but I loved him and I knew he loved me. When we were kids, he used to bring us donuts on Saturday mornings. He wouldn't ring the doorbell, he'd just leave them there as a surprise. Then when we woke up, it was like Christmas morning. We would run to the door and find our donut surprise waiting on our front step.

Once, I got to go with him to Dunkin Donuts to pick out our dozen. When he had a house in Phx he would go for morning walks, and so once, he walked over to our house and I walked back with him to his house. Then we got into his truck and headed out. I remember when he used to chew skoll, he would smell of Peppermint. His truck smelled of it too, and it reminded me of the scene in The Parent Trap, when Hayley Mills relishes the smell of her grandpa. Kodi used to collect his empty Skoll cans so she could smell him too. At the time we thought it was a little weird, but I do still think of him when I smell peppermint, and I kind of get it. That day I felt so special picking out the donuts. I don't know if my other brothers or sisters ever had that opportunity or not, but I felt like I was in on the secret, and it was so fun

As a kid, I would spend Summers in Colorado with my Granny and Papa. It was always so much fun. He would take me around on the four-wheeler and he never went too fast because he knew I was afraid. I was kind of a wimp. My Granny and I would cook dinner with fresh ingredients out of the garden, usually, and I can remember setting the table and writing notes on their napkins. After dinner we would watch Wheel of Fortune and make popcorn. Even until his last day he still never missed a show.

I think that is why I love that game show so much too.

He was a triplet, so I think he was very proud to have great-grandkids that were twins. I remember when he came to the NICU to see Kolby and Mallorie. It really meant a lot to me. Kolby and Mal loved their White-haired Papa very much too. We will really miss seeing him. When we go to Colorado it will just not be the same, but I know he is in a better place with his loved ones, and that we will get to see him again someday.

Here is his obituary

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.